Today’s Lectio Divina: Excerpts from Psalm 29. (MsgB)

Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”
In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power.
Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor Him!

God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing.
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

When was the last time I actually looked heavenward and called out, “Bravo, God, bravo!” to my Creator?

When was the last time I actually joined with the angels in heaven, shouting, “Encore!” to my God?

When was the last time I actually stood at attention, in awe of the presence of God?

When was the last time I actually found myself on my knees, calling out “Glory” to my Rescuing King?

Hmm.

Isn’t it interesting that we twenty-first century Christians sing songs that talk about such interactions with God (i.e. calling out, shouting, standing at attention, kneeling, etc.) but rarely do we actually do the things we’re singing about?

I wonder if you and I get credit in heaven for just singing about these actions without actually doing them?

Gosh. I hope so. Cause most of my life I’ve been in churches where anyone actually calling out, shouting, standing at attention or kneeling would be considered excessive, too showy, or just plain out-of-order.

And before you start thinking that I must attend a starchy, stuffy evangelical church, let me tell you that much of my worship experience over the last 30 years has been done in charismatic-type churches that teach and believe that we must be led by the Spirit rather than falling prey to stuffy religious traditions.

So, what’s the deal, here?

If King David stepped into the worship service at my church on Sunday morning, and we were singing one of those ‘fall on your knees’ songs, while sitting comfortably in our chairs, I wonder if he might lean over to me and ask, “Pastor, why do your people sing about kneeling but never do it?”

And in all honesty, I’m afraid I’d have to admit to King David that we twenty-first century Christians don’t do that anymore. Kinda just like praying, or studying God’s Word, or giving to the poor, or casting out demons, or healing the sick, or…

We talk or sing about these things on Sunday morning, King David, but we don’t actually do very much of it during the week.

Gulp.

And then, King David, I’m guessing, would turn away from me, and without a word, slip down on his knees and begin crying out to his God, “Oh Lord, have mercy!”

My prayer: Almighty God, High God of Heaven, I ask for mercy for myself and my people when we give lip-service to kneeling, standing, calling out and shouting to You, our Creator King, but rarely, if ever, actually do what we’re singing about. I choose to change my ways, adjusting my life so that more of my actions correspond with more of my words. For Your name’s sake. Amen.

My questions to ponder: What is holding me back from acting out the words that I’m singing or saying? How can I make the necessary changes in my life so that I am not found speaking out things that I am not actually doing?

So what is God speaking to you today as you ponder the Psalms?

Over a 50-week period, you and I will take a deeper look at The Psalms: God’s Songbook of Prayers. In order to keep all the blog sessions organized, we suggest you bookmark our Contemplating the Psalms home page for ease of use. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to explore the on-going applications of this blog series is to walk alongside a biblically-based, Christ-centered spiritual director who is familiar with how to make material like this part of your overall spiritual formation in God. Many of our directors in our Sustainable Faith-Heartland network are available to companion you in your journey with Jesus. Click here for more info.

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