Thoughts for the Day

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

Know 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.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Church in Wales Lectionary New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We British are considered reserved by many people in the world, and although these Thoughts go to many round the world, forgive me if I start with this thought. But today's reading from the book of Psalms calls us to make a joyful noise to the Lord! I love the Psalms because they often show us an ordinary person who one moment is complaining to God that he is about to be destroyed by the enemy and that God should destroy these barbarians, and then a second later he is shouting praise to his Maker for His goodness to him. (This probably reflects my thought processes - I do moan at God, and I do praise and thank Him!).

So today how about we all 'make a joyful noise to the Lord'? No matter your circumstances I call you to make a noise and worship the Lord. How? Well sing loudly (even when you think you can't sing); clash saucepans together and shout your thanks to God; play the piano or keyboard (and make up a tune if you can't play); blow on a tin whistle or recorder; play a Christian cd or dvd loudly; go for an isolated walk and sing a hymn loudly!

Come on people - count your blessings (even if things are hard at present), and worship the Lord with gladness!

Lord God Almighty,
we worship You today,
with joy and gladness.
May we remember all that You
have done for us,
and Your continuing care for us,
even when life is hard.
Today we remember to praise You,
with joyful hearts.
Amen.