2010 Advent Devotional
St. Stephen United Methodist Church
Thursday, December 23
Psalm 98

1 Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

2 The LORD has made his salvation known

and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

3 He has remembered his love

and his faithfulness to Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

5 make music to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-

shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together for joy;

9 let them sing before the LORD,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.
Thank You, Gracious God, for the "harp." Thank You for the gift of music. How wondrously music lifts our souls before You. It gives life to our words of praise. It joins our hearts and our minds. Through music we are able to praise You with heart, soul, mind, and strength. It gives us the freedom to sing, to shout, even to clap or dance. Music loosens our voices and inspires our hearts.

Music also binds us all together in our worship. When we sing, our voices agree, both in words and tones. Music helps us to worship You as one people, with one heart.

Thank You, dear Lord, for those who lead worship in our churches. Thank you for John, Julia, Michael, Ruby, the Praise Band and Choir, and all of the lay leaders. Thank You for their skill and talent, for their practice and preparation. Thank You most of all for their love for You, and for the way that love touches us and encourages us to adore You.

May the music of Your people give You joy this day, dear Lord! All praise be to You!
Bill Cornett