Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Psalm 100.
For those of us who memorized Scripture as children, this was a required psalm! Many of us may remember its words in the King James Version, which opens with these words, “Make a joyful sound unto the Lord, all ye lands.” The NIV words it as, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” The meaning is the same…all people, all over the earth, in all lands of the world, are to worship God. As we read these words and those that follow, it is good to think of all people putting down their tools, their books, their weapons, whatever they are doing, and gathering to worship God.
In our own country, we prize individualism and what we can do on our own, and there are some real merits to that. But God reminds us in this beautiful psalm that we are all God’s creatures, and we are to be united in worshiping God. Not everyone worships on Sundays at 9:30 or 11:15 EDT, but there is real beauty in remembering that, as we worship, millions of people are called to do so. We worship in many ways with different customs and rituals; but all of us, all over the earth, are called to worship God. And in awareness of that, we can sense a kinship to all God’s creation and people everywhere.
Personal Worship Option:
Almighty God, help me to see people of other nations and cultures as my sisters and brothers, fellow children of yours. In worship, help me to feel a part of something so much larger than my own circle and to know that we can be united in worshiping and serving you. Amen!
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