Thoughts for the Day

Praise to God for His Holiness

The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!
Mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
Extol the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Many years ago Mowbrays published a Confirmation Course that I had written. It was intended for young Christians as an 'active, doing' course, so instead of telling participants about God in great theological detail it asked participants to 'Draw a picture, or describe God', and the group would then be encouraged to share their collective experiences. For many years I used this idea in workshops with adults and children in parishes and a number of other dioceses around the country. It was fascinating to discover the answers given. Here are some that I remember:

• God as King (as in Psalm 99 above, and Isaiah 6.1-3).
• God as Judge (Daniel 7.9-10)
• God as Creator/Provider (Psalm 104.1-9)
• God as Warrior (Exodus 15.6-7)
• God as Shepherd (Isaiah 40.10-11)
• God as Father (Matthew 6.9)

Sometimes there was also mention of 'God as Trinity', 'God as Jesus', and 'God as Holy Spirit'. Many pictures showed an old man sitting on a cloud. But the ones that intrigued me were about 'God as energy' with lightning bolts and other pictures to describe Him. Over time as Christians we often discover our image of God changes, and sometimes we find it easier to think of Him in a different way. What we do recognise in our limited way is that the most powerful entity in the universe cares about us, and He calls us to be His people and to return to Him when we have strayed. May we continue to daily worship Him!

Lord God Almighty,
we praise and glorify You
as King of all that exists;
as Creator of the universes;
as the Warrior who protects us;
as Judge of all the earth;
as the Shepherd who leads us;
and as the Father who welcomes us
when we ask for forgiveness.;
We thank you
for Your generosity;
Your patience;
Your persistence,
and Your love for us.
Amen.