Devotion for June 28, 2011 – Joy in the Morning
Mampoko Church, Democratic Republic of Congo
Today's Scripture Reading
Psalm 108:1-4
With God We Shall Do Valiantly
A Song. A Psalm of David.
108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Today's Devotion
We traveled long into the night on our Congo River journey, and we were very tired. But shortly before dawn, the big talking drum began throbbing, waking us and calling us to worship. One by one, the pilgrims and their Congolese hosts staggered out into the sunrise. Choir members shrugged on their robes and hurried into the church to begin singing as the worshippers entered.
The psalmist must have known just such a moment when this Psalm was written. You can hear the joy and love for God pouring out as the people begin their day. What would our world be like if everyone experienced a joyful sunrise service?
Will you greet God this day with song?
Holy Spirit,
Be with us each sunrise, and inspire us to lift our hearts and voices in songs of praise to the merciful and unchanging God who created us.
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