REFL RE FLEC FL ECTI EC TION TI ON REFLECTION
PREVIEW
Singing God’s praises Brian Colley (Clowne) begins a third series of reflections on verses from Psalms Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name (Psalm 18:49)
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AVID begins his psalm with words that tell of his love for God: ‘I love you, Lord, my strength’ (v1). This is followed by several illustrations of the safety God has provided for him. After a poetic expression of God’s greatness seen in nature, David lists the reasons for the favours he has been shown, summed up with the words: ‘He rescued me because he delighted in me’ (v19). God had rewarded his servant. In this psalm we read: ‘You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light’ (v28). Many years later John, at the start of his Gospel, was to write this about Jesus: ‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world’ (John 1:9). There is a move from the personal to all people, for God would deal with all humankind as he had dealt with David. David is grateful to God and some of his final words in this psalm are: ‘Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name’ (v49). There are many who remember to thank God for his goodness and praise him in a place of worship, but gratitude and praise should also bring about evangelism. Every opportunity should be taken to tell others about this great God we love and serve – the God who saw fit to deliver us because he delighted in us.
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EFORE normal life resumes, the organisers of Thank You Day are encouraging everyone to pause and say thank you to everyone who helped others during the past year: neighbours who kept the noise down or dropped off the shopping, family members who put up with each other under the same roof, delivery drivers and supermarket security guards who kept people fed, shopkeepers who stayed open, care workers, doctors, nurses, volunteers and everyone who followed the coronavirus safety restrictions. Sunday 4 July is the day before the birthday of the NHS, so it’s a perfect moment for the country’s biggest ever thank-you party – a chance to get together with neighbours, communities and families to mark what we have experienced during the coronavirus crisis and celebrate those who have helped get us through so far. The day is supported by hundreds of organisations, including the Scouts, Girlguiding UK, Rotary, the Royal Voluntary Service, the NHS, the Football Association and the Church of England. Churches and other faith groups have particularly stepped up, reaching out to their communities and across divides to run food banks, hold online prayer meetings and worship, connect with those who are lonely and so much more. The organisers therefore want faith groups to be a central part of Thank You Day – giving, receiving and facilitating acts of thanks. Places of worship could be opened up for community events, coffee mornings or thank-you parties. Faith groups could come together to organise ecumenical or interfaith events of thanks. Resources will be available to give people the tools they need to host such events. People and organisations in the wider community are already organising activities that we can all join in with and support. Here are a few of them: 9am Join a Parkrun event and a thank-you picnic brunch for volunteers, friends and families. 11am Take part in the UK’s Power Hour litter pick to show that you care for the environment. 1pm The Big Lunch invites you to share friendship, food and fun to say thank you with your neighbours and community. Street party or picnic? You decide. 3pm Thank you for the music! Dust off your instruments and warm up those vocal cords. Play or sing along in a UK-wide performance with your friends, community or music group. 7pm BB-Thank-Q! The nation’s biggest ever Cook Out led by Levi Roots. Share a BBQ with your neighbours and friends.
O For more information about Thank You Day and how you can help make it a success, visit thankyouday.org.uk or contact emma@together.org.uk
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