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Ephesians, faithfulness, gratefulness, harmony, love, Paul, praise God, psalm 33, rejoice, song praise, The Sophia Center for Spirituality
It seems that Paul and the Psalmist are working together this morning to communicate the wonder of God’s gifts and the necessity of praising God for them. Paul (EPH 3:14-21) speaks his own prayer for the community at Ephesus where he asks God that you may be strengthened…in your inner self, so that rooted and grounded in love you may comprehend…the breadth and length and height and depth…and be filled with all the fullness of God. He urges their own prayer with the confidence that God is able to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine.
This message is echoed by PS 33: 1-5 as we are challenged to Rejoice, O all who live in love and harmony, in right relationship! How good the music made by those whose hearts are turned to God! Take up your instruments of song; take harp, guitar, the violin, horn and drum; give praise a voice, a song to sing! And new, fresh melodies will rise and ring in praise of One who gives us skill in song. Add your just and truth-filled words and say, God’s faithfulness shall be the subject of our praise. For on this earth, and above all else, you cherish justice, you honor peace. You love it when true kindness reaches out to all.
With Paul’s reminder of God’s willingness to hear our prayer and the virtual orchestra of praise suggested by the psalmist I resolve to carry joy as companion through this day, determined to be the note that God chooses to play through me in harmony with all I meet.
The Sophia Center for Spirituality 