Saturday 30 December 2023
- Bible Book:
- Isaiah
'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.' (v. 4b)
Background
Our week started with words of praise from what we now call ‘The Magnificat’ – "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46b) – the song of Mary in praise of God.
It is perhaps fitting that our week together should end with words of praise to God, in this passage from Isaiah.
A God who strengthens and defends the people. A God who is faithful. A God who continues to do amazing things in this world and through the lives of ordinary everyday people like you and me. A God who is above all and beyond all and is the Holy One.
In a world where there are so many things vying for our attention, where relationships are vying for our time and energy, where we need to work to live, but frequently found ourselves living to work.
In a world where the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ grows ever wider and now encroaches into the lives of those we know and love.
In a broken world despair is ever present and the pit of despondency can open to swallow anyone of us, at any time, for any number of reasons.
In such a world it is important to be able to give thanks for the small things, to love those close to us and give thanks for a God who, though many would deny it, is present and at work in a world that chooses not to acknowledge God.
So, let us hold fast to these words from Isaiah, who praises God through thick and thin and calls everyone to do the same.
To Ponder:
- What small thing (or things) in the past year have made you give thanks to God?
Prayer
Lord, in the small things, in the inconsequential things, in the 'busyness' of life, help me find space to praise you for being you. Amen.