In church with Ethan
If you were in the 8:30 worship service yesterday you know I had my grandson Ethan with me. It's not often I get to sit in worship with Ethan since they live in Gettysburg, Pa and only get to visit here a couple times a year and when they do I am usually the preacher. What a joy just to sit in worship and stand to sing with Ethan by my side. Rod was the preacher and had chosen the hymns, so I didn't realize that one of the hymns he had chosen was one of my favorites:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.
O my soul praise Him for He is thy help and salvation.
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near.
Join me in glad adoration.
I remember keenly the first annual conference I attended in Michigan in 1974. I was transferring my ordination from Western Pennsylvania and I came not really knowing anyone and with no small amount of trepidation. I don't remember if we sang the hymn in worship or why it stuck with me, but I remember sitting alone in the chapel at Adrian College hoping I had made the right decision with this hymn running through my mind. It was the third verse that spoke to me then and speaks to me now:
Praise to the Lord who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
Who with his love doth befriend thee.
Thirty-eight years ago it was a word of hope and today I look back and sing it in praise and thanksgiving. I am simply amazed at the opportunities I have had and the blessings I have experienced in these years in ministry. Every day I "ponder anew what the Almighty can do" and give thanks. I've told Judy this is one of the hymns I would like to have sung at my funeral, but nothing will compare with the joy of singing it with Ethan yesterday. When a couple teardrops fell on the page, he wasn't quite sure what to do about it, but I knew it was nothing more than the overflow of a grateful heart.
Next Sunday Chad and I will be preaching on the Psalms of lament, the times when the Psalmist cries out to God. I encourage you to be reading in the Psalms (particularly Psalm 130) and come to join in the song of hope that springs even in the times of darkness. Come to praise the Lord and...
O let all that is in me adore him.
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the amen sound from his people again;
Gladly forever adore him.
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