¹Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
 ²Worship the LORD with gladness;
 come into his presence with singing.
 ³Know that the LORD is God.
 It is he that made us, and we are his;
 we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
 and his courts with praise.
 Give thanks to him, bless his name.
 ⁵For the LORD is good;
 his steadfast love endures forever,
 and his faithfulness to all generations.

Devotion

Unlike so many of the Psalms whose author is given as David or someone else, the source of this poem is anonymous. Yet, no matter who might have written it, the message is clear. It encourages us to shout out our praises to God….Even during this unprecedented time, with COVID-19, massive unrest here and abroad, our continuing battle with systemic racism… the psalmist invites us to pause, take a deep breath, and worship the One who created us and shepherds us. The Lord cares for us through this difficult time, as well as through other challenging experiences we encounter in our personal lives.

We have been created, chosen, and shepherded by the one God of the universe. Now that’s something to shout about! It’s all right, Mom.

Prayer

With gladness we shout to you, O Lord. With thanksgiving we sing joyful songs. For you are good and your love endures forever. Amen.

          Philip Formo ’80 M.Div.  Retired parish pastor, Clergy Coach, Savage, Minnesota

      God Pause, Luther Seminary, June 9, 2020

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New prayer concern: Please lift up Megan Buscher and her family at the death of her father, Bud Larsen.