All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
All Creatures of Our God and King
By: St. Francis 1225, trans. William Henry Draper 1919
Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we begin our journey through this ancient hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s think about this.
Golden Sun
God orders the flaming orb in the sky to praise Him! We merely echo that command, though with much less authority. We also must echo that praise, though with our own unique voice.
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:3-4 ESV
When you look at the sun it is marvelous to behold as it lights our day. You can see the brightness and feel the warmth. Still, as you begin to learn a little about it you find how incredible a creation it truly is. It brings Him praise through its burning, golden beam. How will you praise Him?
Our list of things that declare the glory of God begins with the largest body in our solar system. Nothing proclaims the glory of God in our world like the sun. Often seen as an object of worship because of its brilliance, if the sun could speak it would redirect us with a bright “Worship God!”
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about exhorting the sun to worship. It’s offering is unique, but so is yours. Make this your simple prayer “Lord, thank You for inviting me to worship.”
Silver Moon
Here we see the first contrast of praise. From burning, golden beam to softer, silver gleam, both expressions are genuine, and yet very different. How true that is of every one of God’s creations!
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Psalm 148:5-6 ESV
The evening counterpart with its softer gleam does its part as its silver orb lights the night sky. It is different every night, through a constant cycle, yet consistent in reflecting the light of the sun which creates its unique offering. Ours changes each night as well, but should still sound.
We swing the pendulum to the evening sky and exhort the praise of the orb that rotates around us, the moon. Looking into the night sky illuminated by a full moon is cause for wonder, but be careful that wonder is turned to the One who made the moon, not the moon itself.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about different these two offerings are. Have you ever compared your offering of praise to that of someone else? Don’t do it. Marvel at God’s creativity expressed in our creative offerings, then work to find yours to praise the source of it, and not the offering itself. Give Jesus praise by praying a simple prayer like this, “Spirit, help me praise the Maker of the moon.“
Jesus, thank You for showing me there are different kinds of offerings. Mine may not resemble others even remotely, but the does not invalidate it. The uniqueness may actually be part of the praise. In Jesus name. Amen.
Creative Thinking!
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Podcast 52.1 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
All creatures of our God and King
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Psalm 103:22 ESV
This entire hymn is a call to worship. The entirety of creation is commanded to offer God the King the praise that He deserves. All His works in all places of His kingly dominion are to bless Him. No created thing or part of creation is left out of the invitation to worship.
Lift up your voice and with us sing
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 ESV
Just in case there is any uncertainty as to at least one form that praise should take we are to sing. But how do creatures that can not speak sing? In their own unique voice they are to declare and proclaim His glory revealed in His handiwork. Have you found your voice?
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:3-4 ESV
When you look at the sun it is marvelous to behold as it lights our day. You can see the brightness and feel the warmth. Still, as you begin to learn a little about it you find how incredible a creation it truly is. It brings Him praise through its burning, golden beam. How will you praise Him?
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Psalm 148:5-6 ESV
The evening counterpart with its softer gleam does its part as its silver orb lights the night sky. It is different every night, through a constant cycle, yet consistent in reflecting the light of the sun which creates its unique offering. Ours changes each night as well, but should still sound.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him alleluia
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time,
Be Resonant.
The post Creative and Contrasting Expressions of Worship appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
Thou burning sun with golden beam – https://pixabay.com/photos/sun-planets-space-star-fire-6665077/
Thou silver moon with softer gleam – https://pixabay.com/photos/moon-full-moon-night-landscape-6814933/
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