PRAISE THE LORD - PUTTING GOD IN GOD'S PLACE, PUTS US IN OURS

Based on Psalm 146

 

Praise the Lord

Even in the middle of war

Praise the Lord

When you are knocked off your feet by illness or grief

Praise the Lord.

 

The ancient Psalmist

Teaches us to Praise The Lord

That praise should be a discipline

When happiness is not all around

Praise is believing in spite of the evidence

Praise is resistance to evil

Praise is realigning us to the bigger, wider, alternative truth.

 

Praise reminds us that God is

Creator

Sustainer

Redeemer

That God will bring

Justice

Salvation

Shalom.

 

Praise is when we put God in God’s place as Creator

And find our place in God’s creation

Praise puts us back in sync

 

In sync are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

In sync are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

In sync are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

In sync are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

In sync are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

In sync are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

In sync are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God. 

In sync are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

In sync with God’s place as Creator

And our place ion God’s creation.

 

In an episode of Tales Of The Unexpected

Someone said

“You know who you are with a gun in your hand. 

You are a somebody.”

At the Communion table

I say

“You know who you are with a piece of bread in your hand. 

You are a somebody.”

 

In a world of war or illness or grief

That might be a tale unexpected 

But when we praise God 

We believe

We resist

We put God in God’s place as Creator

And find our place in God’s creation

When God is Lord

Everything is different.