March 16, 2024 - 1 Chronicles 16:31-33

“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,” 1 Chronicles 16:31-33 NLT

Lord, we praise you along with the earth. All the trees wave their branches in worship of you. The ocean’s waves crash into the shore in worship to you. All the creatures of the sea swim about in worship to you. The birds of the air fly around singing your praises. When the lion roars it shines your glory. When the flowers bloom, it radiates your beauty. When our heart beats and all the systems in our bodies work together in a miraculous way, it is to show your wisdom and care, bringing glory to you. When the wind blows through the grassy plains, we see them releasing their praise to you. When the crops ripen their produce, it is to bring joy to you. All of creation does their part in bringing glory to your name. We humans seem to be the only part of creation that doesn’t understand that you are majestic and our glorious creator, worthy of all our praise for all of our lives. Lord, help us to never forget just how worthy you are.

Teach us how to live our lives in a way that we honor you like the rest of creation. For those of us who recognize who you are, show us how we can reveal you to those who don’t know you. We want to proclaim your name to the nations. We want to shout who you are from the mountain tops so all can hear and know. Truly make this a deep cry of our hearts that changes the way that we see the world and how we live. Open our eyes to see you more all around us. Let us see the world giving your praise and do our part to join its chorus. We proclaim, “The Lord reigns!”

In Jesus name, amen.