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| Sean Mac Entee, creative commons |
When the pastor asked how many had seen the dawn this past week, I was surprised to find myself in such a small camp. Night people far outnumbered those of us who wake up fully powered.
Although I’m sure the nocturnal ones have their times of worship and wonder, one of my favorite moments in the day is that pre-dawn moment when, as though waiting for the opening wave of the conductor’s wand, the woods surrounding my house explode in a symphony of song.
I almost feel the leaves themselves vibrating like cello strings with the chorus of calls, as all of nature praises the Light Giver.
My soul longs to contribute to this transcendental tribute but often feels woefully inept. Self awareness stares at me as stubbornly as a hound dog on a couch.
In order to nudge the big I and all of its concerns out of the way, I have ready a paraphrased collection of bible verses, a pieced together litany of whispered praise that I can contribute to the dawn song.
May I share some of these with you for those moments your prayers are heavy or your spirit is stuck:
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands—Psalm 19:1.
Send forth your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to the place where you dwell— Psalm 43:3.
My soul exalts in the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . . for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name—Luke 2: 46-55.
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?—Exodus 15:11.
He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the king of Kings, the Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light—to Him be the honor and power and glory—1Timothy 6:15.
Behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord, the God of hosts is his name—Amos 4:13.
Your steadfast love extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. We take refuge in the shadow of your wings, and feast on the abundance of your house, and drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life. In your light do we see light—Psalm 36:5-9.
Lift up your gates and be lifted up O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle—Psalm 24:7-8.
You are the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty God, King and Redeemer, Bight Morning Star . . . who is able to do exceedingly abundant beyond all we ask or think,
The Lord is your name
Immanuel, God with us
Jesus.
What a beautiful way to begin today...and every day. My favorite: "as though waiting for the opening wave of the conductor’s wand, the woods surrounding my house explode in a symphony of song." Wow. Thank you for sharing, Marcia
ReplyDeleteI like the Exodus 15:11 and I tend to watch for sunset more than sunrise as I always say my prayers just before, though I do say brief prayers in the morning too; those being formally said on my knees in worship and aside from those I say throughout the day when God enters my thoughts. The Exodus quote is something often in my thoughts, that being how awesome God is and how small I am. Great post as usual and you always make me feel less alone in my feelings towards and for God.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I think we are not alone in our worship...we're part of the choir, one voice at a time. Blessings across the sea, friend.
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