The voice of the Lord...

 Verse for the week: “The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,

    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” Psalm 29

 Bible reading for the day: Psalm 29 (note: The Lord’s disciplinary exile of his beloved, rebellious people (587-539BC) is coming to an end. He is about to give them a fresh start)

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

 ³ The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

   the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
⁴ The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

 ⁵ The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶ He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

⁷ The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

⁸ The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

 ⁹ The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth

    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

 ¹⁰ The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
¹¹ May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

 prayer(based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, you are no mute God: your voice breaks and gives life, your voice strips the forest bare and makes the deer give birth… and in Christ your voice calls me your own. Thank you. Repent me and my congregation of preferring our own voices over yours. Keep speaking to us Lord, that we may hear and ascribe to you the glory due your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EWLNar8J9c

“Hallowed be thy name…”

What does this mean?

God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we ask in this petition that we may keep it holy.

When does this happen? 

God’s name is hallowed whenever his word is taught in its truth and purity and we as children of God live in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

benediction: The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  (Philippians 4.7)

 

 *The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

T: thanksgiving

                                                            R: regret (repentance)

                                                            I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                            P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.