July 7, 2018 Saturday

“1 ¶  « A Song of Ascents. » Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; 2  Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3  If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4  But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. 5 ¶  I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. 6  My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning — Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 7  O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8  And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.” (Psalm 130:1-8 NKJV)

            The song of ascents we see in the Psalms give us a picture of worship in David’s time. Indeed the Psalms are what we would now be a call to worship. The priests and the Levites would start walking up the hill toward the temple singing the Psalms of ascent and people would come out and follow them to the Temple for worship.

            In this “call to worship” people are told why God is worthy of our worship and why we should gather for worship. This song reminds us that as God’s blessings are personal and national we must individually and within our community praise and worship God.

            Take time to look at the many ways God blesses us and is very good to us. List the words that give us reason to worship and praise God. And when you go to a worship service look at the people around you and know God has and is continuing to bless them in the same way!

            Just as you should take time to discover the many ways God blesses in this Psalm take time to list the many ways God blesses you personally. Then take time to list the ways God blesses your family, congregation, community, your nation and the world!

            Your proper response to discovering all the ways God blesses you is to ascend to worship God through giving thanks and praise. Take time not just on Saturday or Sunday but every day to ascend through Thanksgiving and praise to the very throne of God!

            In what ways has God blessed you? Do you believe God is worthy of your thanks and praise? If God does bless you at each level should you not only give praise personally but also corporately?