The Voice of the Lord

...is for you.

Verse for the week: We have beheld his glory; glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1.14

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, at the baptism of your blessed Son Jesus Christ in the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make us faithful in the calling of our own baptism, that our pride may die daily and the new obedience to you would arise in us daily; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 29

¹  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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
⁸ The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
 
⁹ The voice of the Lord makes the oaks to shake
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
    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!
    The Lord will bless his people with peace!

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that you are not silent: your voice breaks trees, strips forests, makes the land to skip like a calf, and declares forgiveness for sinners in Christ Jesus… thank you! Repent me and your whole church of running our mouths so much that we talk over yours. You are the one enthroned over all. So, grant that instead of blowing our own horn, our mouths may ascribe the glory due your name… and our ears, hearts, and minds may gladly hear and learn your Word; through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord. 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=FC8Il7gnBC0

The Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Ex 20.8

What does this mean?  We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his word and the preaching of it but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

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).  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.