The Bible in Miniature

September 30

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 19 - 21

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 21:6 – “For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman: let him declare what he seeth:”

The Book of Isaiah has often been called the Bible in miniature. It displays a remarkable similarity to the Bible in its whole. Consider:

*Isaiah has 66 chapters, the Bible has 66 books.

*Isaiah has two sections – chapters 1 – 39 and 40 – 66. The Bible has the Old Testament with 39 chapters, and the New Testament with 27.

*Isaiah 1 – 39 emphasizes God’s righteousness, holiness and justice. The first 39 books of the Old Testament emphasis are on God’s righteousness, holiness and justice.

*Isaiah 40 – 66 is on God’s glory, compassion and grace. The New Testament is on God’s glory, compassion and grace.

Prayer: Father, let me seek other similarities between Isaiah and the Bible today. Amen.

The Burden

September 29

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 16 - 18

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 17:1 – “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.”

Often in the book of Isaiah we see the phrase – “The burden of….” The Hebrew word used, maśśâ', comes from a root that means to lift up or to bear. The concept is that the message that the prophet had to deliver was a heavy weight. We hear so much today about the love of God that we often forget that He is also Holy, and because of His Holiness, often He must judge people and nations.

Yes, God is a God of love, however, He does judge and display His anger at that which is unholy or sinful. The prophet is tasked with the message to warn what will happen. Do we read God’s Word and heed the message He gives?

Prayer: Great Judge of all, I come humbly before You today, search me and show me where I fall short. Amen.

Like the Most High

September 28

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 13 - 15

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 14:12 – “How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations!”

This passage (verses 12 – 15) are much debated as to whether they refer to Satan or not. It is right in the middle of a prophecy against Babylon and the defeat of its king. Considering that often a prophetic passage would cover two or more events – both could be correct.

Consider the possibility that this refers to Lucifer (Satan), and we see the basis for all sin in it. Pride. Five times he says, “I will.” And, in fact, the last time he states, “I will make myself like the Most High.” Sounds like the offer he made to Eve in the Garden – to be “like” God.

Today, let us be wary of the promises that the flesh, the world, and the Devil make to us – they are deadly in final analysis.

Prayer: Precious Savior, keep my mind and trust focused only on You. Amen.

Jehovah tsebâ'âh

September 27

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 10 - 12

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 10:16 – “Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.”

Jehovah tsebâ'âh. God of hosts. The Hebrew word denotes and army. It comes from a root word that means to fight or to serve. Angels are called “hosts” because they serve God. The whole of Heaven serves God and is referred to as “hosts.”

In the New Testament, Paul in Romans 9:29, and James in James 5:4 refer to “the Lord of Sabaoth” to describe the awesome might of God. As believers, we can count on the mighty God, Jehovah tsebâ'âh, to fight the battles against the Evil One in our day and time.

Trust Him. Hold on to Him. Lean on Him. Let Him be our General and Guide.

Prayer: Jehovah tsebâ'âh, I come to You, I trust You, I rely on You, I hold out for You. I seek You to deliver me from the Evil. Amen.

He is here!

September 26

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 7 - 9

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

A familiar verse today. It is a part of Handel’s great Messiah, heard every Christmas. It tells us that Immanuel is coming. It describes part of what He will be like.

Immanuel did come. He came in a lowly stable and feeding trough, and many missed His arrival. They should have believed, but they didn’t. Many today should believe, but they don’t. Immanuel is here, and yet so many miss Him.

It is our task to make sure that we don’t miss Him, and that we get the message out to those needing to see Him – He has arrived, and His name is Jesus.

Prayer: Immanuel, we praise You and seek to make You known to those around us. Amen.

Here I am, send me.

September 25

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 4 - 6

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 6:8 – “And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me.”

The date was in 740 B.C. A young man not yet 30 walks into the Temple and sees something that will completely turn his life around. He saw God on His throne.

A vision that even in the chaotic days of the death of a beloved King, Isaiah sees the majesty, power, and glory of the one True King. As he observes the scene and hears the Angels presenting praise, He caught a glimpse of himself and replies – “Woe is me!”

As God provides a cleansing from his sin, Isaiah becomes ready for the call that God has for him – to be sent and deliver the message that God has provided.

Are we cleansed and ready today?

Prayer: Glorious, Majestic God – cleanse me and use me in your work today. Amen.

Prophets

September 24

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 1 - 3

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 1:1 – “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”

We now embark into the section we call the Major Prophets. The five books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel make up this division. These men had a mission from God of not only foretelling, but also of forth-telling. They showed the future, but also showed the present day they were in.

These prophets were uncompromising and stood alone in times of great moral decay and chaos. They were men of rugged determination and spoke for God. They were men who were devoted to prayer and communion with God. They were revealers of the future, but also spoke out about the evil of their day.

Prayer: God of Eternity, let us read these following accounts with eyes and hearts open to the message You hold for us today. Amen.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

September 23

Daily Bible Reading: Song of Songs 6 – 8

Verse of the Day: Song of Songs 6:4 – “Thou art fair, O my love, as Tirzah, Comely as Jerusalem, Terrible as an army with banners.”

When we read this passage today, we might wince at the descriptions that Solomon uses for his bride’s beauty. I am not sure if a man should tell a woman these exact words today. Hair like goats, teeth like a flock of sheep – I think that this loses in the translation, or culture of today.

What we do find though is a good lesson that as men we should be observant of our wives (and wives this goes for you too). We need to be able to find words that describe the beauty that we find in the one that God has given to us. Practicing this will help us to remain true to the one that we have married.

Prayer: Open my eyes and heart, Lord, let me see my mate as the one that You have prepared and provided just for me. Help me to see and say to them the beauty that lies in them. Amen and Amen.

Abundant Pleasure

September 22

Daily Bible Reading: Song of Songs 4 – 5

Verse of the Day: Song of Songs 4:16 – “Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his precious fruits.”

The Hebrew word dod in when used in poetry is a term of endearment for a male loved one. The writer of this book uses the term 32 times.

If you ever had the idea, or were taught the idea that God was a “puritanical prude,” this book will help to take that notion away. It is His design and plan that marriage would include delightful sexual pleasures that are exhilarating and filled with maximum pleasure.

We have allowed two extremes in our culture – we either paint this bond as a necessary evil, or we liberate it to pure hedonism. God’s plan and way provide the supreme fulfillment of this pleasure.

Prayer: Father, help us to see Your plan. We can see Your desire in our union. Amen. 

A love song of all love songs

September 21

Daily Bible Reading: Song of Songs 1 – 3

Verse of the Day: Song of Songs 1:1 – 2 – “The Song of songs, which is Solomon's. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.” 

This is a love song written by Solomon, and is rich in allegory and metaphors of that time period. In the realm of allegory, the book pictures Israel as the bride of God in the Old Testament, and the Bride of Christ (believers) in the New Testament. This carries forth the concept that the highest fulfillment in love between a man and a woman if marriage. Therefore, the picture is that the highest fulfillment between a person with God is in His love in our lives. The book is arranged like a drama with three main speakers – the bride (the Shulamite), the king (Solomon), and the chorus (the daughters of Jerusalem).

Prayer: Precious Lord, give me insight and wisdom as I study this book of Your love for me. Guide me to understand the importance of our Spiritual union. Amen.

My Whole Duty

September 20

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 10 – 12

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.”

After all the many trials, experiments, philosophical thoughts, observations, and whatnot, the writer draws a conclusion to end this book. He gives us the whole duty of man “under the sun.” We are to fear God and keep His commandments. Fearing God means that we hold Him in awe, reverence, and wonder at all times. To keep His commandments is to shun anything that is contrary to God, and to do anything that He has said.

Jesus summed up the commandments as loving God, and loving people. Simple? Not really, it takes a whole lifetime to even begin to understand all that this involves. Being “under the Son” helps us to work and walk in the way that God desires.

Prayer: God, I want to do what it takes to fulfill my whole duty to You. Help me! Amen.

Now I understand....

September 19

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7 – 9

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 8:17 – “then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.”

No matter how hard we try, we cannot truly comprehend the vast work of God while we are “under the sun.” As our writer tells us, we can work and work, think we have it all figured out, and then something becomes apparent and it all changes. Consider the study of science over time – how often have they said that this is the facts, only to change them as something new becomes apparent.

In the eternal (“under the Son”) we will one day know and understand it all (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Prayer: One day I will know as I am known, O Majestic God of the Universe. Grant me the wisdom and patience to see You. Amen. 

Mortal or Eternal?

September 18

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4 – 6

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 6:12 – “For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?”

In our last musing on this book, we spoke of the contrasts between “under the sun,” and “under the Son.” In our verse today, it speaks to us about this contrast.

When we pause and contemplate the condition of a person “under the sun,” we realize the mortality of such a person. Remember that we said to see the word “vain or vanity” as “passing quickly.” Our lives pass far to quickly in the eternal scheme of things. Our contrasting thought today comes form John 3:16, and when we are “under the Son,” we have eternal life.

Is your life vain, or is it an eternal life?

Prayer: Jesus, I recommit to You. I want my life not to be vain, but eternal in all that I say or do. Let me be “under the Son.” Amen.

Vapor of Vapors

September 17

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1 – 3

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 2 – “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

We now start a four-day study in the book of Ecclesiastes. It is a profound and at times problematic book that records the search of the Preacher (generally accepted as Solomon) for meaning and satisfaction in life. 

The key word and concept in this book is the Hebrew word hăbêl, which is translated as vanity, breath, or emptiness. The phrase above “Vanity of vanities” is the Hebrew form of a superlative – the maximum extent. Used by the Preacher, the idea is of something that passes quickly, like a vapor or breath.

This is not to be considered a negative outlook on life – it is to be seem as a contrast with that which is “under the sun” and that which is “under the Son.”

Prayer: As I look up, let me see the Son and how He makes life worth all there is. Amen.

Riddle me a riddle

September 16

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 30 – 31

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 30:4 – “Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?”

The writer of this section of Proverbs Agur here gives a riddle that seems to have puzzled him. At that point of time, they did not have the answer. The people of the Old Testament could answer that “his name” is Yahweh – the Lord God, but they would have no answer for the name of “his son.”

This riddle would remain unsolved until Jesus answered it for Nicodemus in John 3:13. We have one of the most straightforward set of Messianic texts in the Bible between these two.

Prayer: Yahweh, sometimes Your ways seem to be a riddle to me. Grant me patience to wait to hear Your answer. I so want to know all “now.” I bow to Your timing. Amen.

Angry Fools

September 15 

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 28 – 29 

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.” 

Growing up I was often reminded of the old sage advice from Abraham Lincoln, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This verse today from our readings in Proverbs touches on this concept. 

We are foolish to take offense and respond in anger to every criticism and offense that we encounter. We should stop, think through what is happening, and see if God may be trying to teach us some important and vital lesson. Contrary to what I would prefer, sometimes God uses painful lessons to teach us. Sometimes, it takes this pain for God to get through to us. 

Today, when feeling like striking out and back, stop and ask God what can you learn from this opportunity. 

Prayer: Open my eyes that I might see Your Hand leading and guiding me. Amen. 

Fire Extinguishers

September 14

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 25 – 27

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 26:20 – “For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.”

Fires will not burn without fuel. To have a fire one needs fuel, oxygen, and heat. Without any one of these three items, you will not have a fire.

The proverb compares gossip (whisperer) to fuel. The Bible makes it clear in a number of places that God does not like those who gossip. Those who do so are responsible for the contentions and strife around them. Gossips are those who share a partial report about someone. They often share details that are not for others, and often slander those who they are speaking about.

Without gossip, the majority of contention in churches would disappear. Seek to be a “fire extinguisher” and not a fuel supplier.

Prayer: Great God in Heaven, make me a “fire extinguisher” in all that I do and seek to do. Keep watch over my mouth. Amen.

A Wise House Built

September 13

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 23 – 24

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 24:3 – 4 – “Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

You develop a strong faith-filled family, not by taking lessons or learning a bunch of rules. It happens because parents are willing to pay the price to be different.

This means that the parents seek to have Biblical truth in every area of their lives and in the lives of their family. They seek to maintain every area – no matter how large or small – in the realm of Biblical wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. 

These parents seek to live their lives about reproach in all areas, and thus demonstrating the truth from the Bible to their children.

Prayer. Holy One, as I seek to model for my children the truth of Your Word, empower me to know and chose the right action and reaction at all times. Amen.

Yikes, a Lion!

September 12

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 21 – 22

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 22:13 – “The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets.”

Our verse today pokes fun at those who are lazy and try to do everything they can to get out of work.

Excuses. I can give you a million of them. In fact any of us can, if we so choose. For some people, they spend more time thinking up and providing excuses for not doing something than if they went ahead and did it.

Sometimes we provide excuses because we are afraid of the risk that might be involved in the task at hand. Our speaker in the verse above is basically saying, “It is possible that a wild animal is roaming around, so it would be better if I did nothing.”

Today, put away any excuses for serving God and step out in response to His call.

Prayer: God, I will not let any excuse stop me from serving You today. Amen.

A day of fear

September 11

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 19 – 20

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 19:23 – “The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life; And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.”

For most Americans, this day brings back memories of great fear and dread. This day stands in the minds of America as a day when our confidence in ourselves was shaken. Following the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, people filled churches and sought out answers for assurance.

The Hebrew word used here for fear (yir'âh) carries the meanings of fear, terror, an awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear). When used with God, it carries the view of awe, respect, reverence, or piety. 

We spend our days in fear – but is it terror of terrifying things; or is it fear of God, respect, reverence, and awe.

Prayer: May the meditations of my heart be on the awe and reverence that You alone deserve Gracious God. Amen.

A Godly Line

September 10

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 17 – 18

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 17:6 – “Children's children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.”

Only a grandmother or grandfather can truly appreciate this verse. Yet, we can see the depth of truth that this small thought carries.

One way to look at this verse is to see the importance of family. Grandparents adore their grandchildren – as the old joke states – “If I knew grandchildren would be so enjoyable, I would have had them first.” But, to have these adorable grandchildren parents need to raise up godly children first.

And fathers, this passage tells us that children seek to “brag” on their fathers. So, Dad, are we living so that they can? Are we raising children who will produce those godly, adorable grandchildren? It is a process.

Prayer: My Heavenly Father help me to be a part of this grand vision provided by God in this passage. A godly line will start with me – no matter what stage I am in. Amen.

Dill-pickled

September 9

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 15 – 16

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 15:13 – “A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.”

How many “Dill-pickle” Christians do you know? You know, they constantly have the long face, they frown more than they smile, and they seem to be sternly rejecting everything around them?

God, in this passage tells us that we need to smile. We need to be smiling because of the joy of the Lord in our lives. A smiling face attracts others, while a frown repels. A smile radiates encouragement and invitation.

Does your face tell people that you have something that they should seek? Or, are you an advertisement to run the other way? Do others want to know what you have that they don’t have, or are they glad they don’t?

Prayer: Father, as I look into the mirror throughout today, what do I see? Is it an image that draws others to you? Do I show that I know the One who gives joy? Show me. Amen.

Thoughts matter

September 8

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 13 – 14

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 14:8 – “The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.”

What is the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat? The first one measures the temperature and the second adjusts the temperature.

Our thoughts are a thermostat that regulates what we accept, believe, and accomplish in this life. You have heard, “You are what your eat.” Well, the truth of the matter is that “we are what we think and focus on.” If we think and focus on deception, we become deceivers. If we focus and think on lustful thoughts, we become lustful.

In contrast, if we focus and think on what Paul lists in Philippians 4:8, we become true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and filled with praise.

Prayer: Today Father, I seek to be a Philippians 4:8 thinker. Guide my thoughts and lift them to You. Amen.

Fake it until....

September 7

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 11 – 12

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 12:9 – “Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.”

Our verse that we have above is an example of a “better…than” form of Proverb.

It is a form of contrast. It gives us what would be the positive over the negative thought, action, or lifestyle. 

In this particular proverb, it contrasts a “nobody,” so to speak, that has a servant with a person who puts on airs and great displays, yet they do not even have the ability to put bread on the table to eat.

This has a tendency to fly in the face of the modern concept to “fake it until you make it.” The ultimate end of those who use pretense and arrogance is one of destruction.

Prayer: Father, teach me true humility – the kind that Your Son displayed while here on earth. May I walk like Him today. Amen.

Guidelines for Life

September 6

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 9 – 10

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 10:1 – “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”

A proverb is a small self-contained unit of thought that presents a capsulized truth about life, the world, and/or how God works. It is memorable and transferable. This means that it is easy to remember and that it can apply to many areas in one’s life.

We must be careful to remember that proverbs are generalizations. They are not necessarily promise or predictions of the future. They are observations of the way things generally work or appear. They show us what we can reasonably expect God to do. They always take eternity into view – some responses may not appear until after this life. The verb tenses used are often one that depicts repeated actions – thus showing us guidelines.

Prayer: God of Wisdom and Truth, help me to apply these truths from Your Word. Amen.

Wisdom Personified

September 5

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 7 – 8

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 8:1 – “Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice?”

Wisdom is often portrayed in personification in Proverbs. In the New Testament Jesus becomes the Wisdom and Word of God. Chapter 8 teaches us many aspects of wisdom. Pause today and consider these truths about wisdom.

We see the origin of wisdom in verse 22 – 30. The chapter also instructs us about the teachings of wisdom in verses 5 – 8; and 12 – 13. And consider as you meditate on this chapter the value of wisdom that is displayed in verses 18 – 19; 32; and 34 – 36.

This chapter gives us a crash course in seeing the origin, teachings and values of wisdom as defined by God.

Prayer: Creator God, as I meditate upon wisdom today, open my heart and my mind to learn from You. Jesus, Word and Wisdom of God – teach me. Amen.

God Hates

September 4

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 5 – 6

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 6:16 – “There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him:”

In verses 16 – 19 of Proverbs chapter 6 we find a numerical proverb. The use of progression – “six… yeah seven” is a rhetorical device that aids in memorization. It is a method of building to a climax. It starts with the building of God’s hatred to His feeling of abomination with these things. In a progressive proverb, the last item is always the most prominent item. In our reading today in verse 19, we see that it is one who sows discord among fellow believers. This causes the greatest disapproval from God. It is in sharp contrast to Psalm 133:1 where God pronounces blessing on those who live together in peace.

Today, study and meditate upon the verses 16 – 19 and consider am I guilty of any of these? If so, confess and forsake these lifestyles that God hates.

Prayer: Search me O God! Amen.

Many later......

September 3

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 3 – 4

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:27 - 28 – “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.”

There are many lessons to be learned in this book. There are many blessings that comes from wisdom – living that godly life in an ungodly world. We see one such lesson in the two verse of our reading today – a warning not to procrastinate.

Procrastination is defined as putting off till another day or time; to defer; to delay. Some people find this a regular part of their life – however, God warns us not to develop this habit. This habit has one central goal: defeat. Don’t delay today – put off this habit of putting off.

Prayer: God of the present, remind me each time I put off that which I should do. Help me to respond when I need to respond. Amen.

Hokhmah and Musar

September 2

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 1 – 2

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

In about 900 short pithy statements, maxims, and stories, Solomon and some other collaborators give us inspired precepts dealing with life. The key word used in this book is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to see things as God sees them, or how to live a godly life in an ungodly world. A proverb only takes a few seconds to read, but it takes a lifetime to apply the truth given.

We are embarking in this book to discern wisdom and instruction (1:1a). Wisdom (Hebrew hokhmah) means “skill,” and instruction (Hebrew musar) means “discipline.” Thus, we are reading a book that speaks to developing skill and discipline in our lives.

Prayer: Father of Life, thank You that You have given us precepts for living a godly life in an ungodly world. Empower us to read and apply these nuggets of truth in our lives. Amen.

The Highest Praise

September 1

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 149 – 150

Verse of the Day: Psalm 150 – “Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with trumpet sound: Praise him with psaltery and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise him with loud cymbals: Praise him with high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah.”

What a way to close out our time in this hymnbook of Israel. What a beautiful call for all of Creation to exclaim the majestic beauty, the wonderful heart, the extravagant love, the extreme care of our God. Let us echo the words of this song – “Let everything that hath breath praise Jehovah.” Hallelujah!

Prayer: Hallelujah, to You we give all praise, glory, accolades, exuberant worship. You, O Lord, deserve it, so we offer it to You today. Lift my heart and mind in Your praise. Amen.