Bless the Lord, O my soul!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!"
Psalm 103:1 (NKJV)

(This picture was taken at the Concordia College Daycare years ago when friend, Cara Bjornlie was working in the 0-18 month room.  A sweet picture that says so much about friends looking out into the world together!  This picture has blessed my heart!)

Oh, how I love hearing a song sing Scripture.  Matt Redman wrote and sings the praise song, "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" and it mirrors the Scripture verses of Psalm 103. 
(If you go the Youtube website and type in "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)"  it will take you to a music site to listen to the song.)

 The chorus is:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul;

Worship His Holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul;

I'll worship Your Holy Name."

Verse 1:

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning,

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,

Let me be singing when the evening comes..."

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me....

I believe it takes courage to sing that, to proclaim that, to believe that.  The day holds the unknown.  Every morning as I listen to the news, people around the world have met all kinds of things that have come to pass and met them on their daily path - storms, accidents, tragedies, violence along with comfort, friendship, celebrations and accomplishments.  

What does your day hold?  What does my day hold?  Not sure.  But, I am convinced that it is very important and imperative that the day begin with a prayer acknowledging the Lord who has promised to go into the day with me.  

One of the prayers from last Sunday's bulletin ( I keep all the bulletins and continue to pray those prayers throughout the week) prepares one for the day:

"Just and Gracious God,

we come to You for healing and life.

Our sins hurt others and diminish us; we confess them to You.

Our lives bear the scars of sin; we bring these also to You.

Show us Your mercy, O God. 

Bind up our wounds, forgive us our sins, and free us to love,

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen."

Yes, show us Your mercy, O God, that we may continue to sing the song into its second verse:

"You're rich in love and You're slow to anger.

Your name is great and Your heart is kind.

For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.."

May you find 10,000 reasons to sing, to care, to grow in faith, to love yourself and one another.  Whatever your day may hold, know that you are not alone.  

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.
Amen.