Singing Praises With Gladness (2 Chronicles 29:30)

 


Tuesday, August 20, 2024


Psalms 114; 115

2 Chronicles 29:15-30

Romans 11:25-36


Observance: Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot and teacher (d. 1153)


Singing Praises With Gladness (2 Chronicles 29:30)


Recently we reflected on the idea of politicians “staying in their lane” when it comes to the things of religion. The separation of church and state proved to be a bit more of a difficult nut to crack than we had originally thought. Yet there has to be some sort of relationship between the two; Jesus is Lord of everything, politics included.


This speaks into our conundrum as we stand with our sword and our trowel, building the kingdom of heaven here on earth. What is our objective? What’s the end goal here?


If we had a government that wanted to bring the entire country back to the Lord, what would our reaction be? We read in today’s account of King Hezekiah’s national reform that he did not act alone: both he and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer.


Here in Australia, we might be tempted to think that such a thing is light-years away from us. But just above us in Papua New Guinea we find a nation that has brought the Bible into the parliament and enjoyed a national revival as a result.


Should we remember where we have come from, who our Creator is, and what he has done for us in the Lord Jesus, would we join in the ancient Jews and sing Psalms with gladness?


He shall bless them that fear the Lord: both small and great.

The Lord shall increase you more and more: you and your children.

Ye are the blessed of the Lord: who made heaven and earth.

All the whole heavens are the Lord’s: the earth hath he given to the children of men.

The dead praise not thee, O Lord: neither all they that go down into silence.

But we will praise the Lord: from this time forth for evermore. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 115:13-18, Book of Common Prayer)

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