Worship Through Proclamation
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Nehemiah 8:1-12, John 9:13-38
BY Guest Writer
For the record, I’m a pretty good driver. But give me an open stretch of highway heading west into a golden sunset or a dark country road lit by only a glowing harvest moon, and you’ll have reason to worry if you’re in my passenger seat. My focus shifts to the sky. Not only do I linger on the beauty, but I want whoever is riding with me to be deeply moved by it too. “Look at that sky!” I repeat, pointing and craning my neck to see more. “Do you see it?” I ask again, wanting to be sure that my passenger isn’t missing any of the glory.
In Reflections on the Psalms, C.S. Lewis said, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” Expressing awe and wonder deepens our appreciation, and we are better for it. As Lewis also said, praise is inner-health made audible.
We see this life-giving, out-loud pattern of worship throughout Scripture. It starts by recognizing the power and presence of God. Then, we proclaim His goodness to others. In turn, we experience deeper meaning and joy ourselves.
We see this in Deuteronomy when we read of Moses, ancient Israel’s prophet and deliverer, proclaiming the greatness of God to all the people. He says, “I will proclaim the LORD’s name. Declare the greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:3).
We hear it in the psalmist’s song of praise in times of both celebration and suffering. He proclaims, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” (Psalm 34:1).
It is good for praise to bubble up from our hearts and for celebration to spill out of our mouths as we proclaim God and His creative work all around us. But, there’s more. This pattern of proclamation deepens as we also give voice to how God has touched us personally.
In John 9, Jesus illustrates how God reveals Himself to the world through His personal touch by restoring sight to a man born blind. Neighbors wondered if the one with fresh eyes could really be the blind beggar they had passed on the street year after year. The Jewish leaders, fearing that Jesus was gaining reputation and power among the people, also cast suspicion on the miracle. They interrogated, insulted, and expelled the man from their community. But neither his neighbors’ skepticism nor the Jewish leaders’ intimidation would prevent the healed man from publicly declaring the works and ways of Jesus. He says, “One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!” (v.25). This man had been given new vision and a new story.
This is the pattern of proclamation: I recognize that I was once blind, but now I have seen and experienced God’s personal touch and restoration in my life. This causes me to humbly and boldly proclaim His goodness to others, and my joy and wonder deepen as I share my story.
So, lean out the window and look again. God is at work all around us and even inside our own lives. Nudge the person next to you and crane your neck to see more. Look at what God is doing! Do you see it? Share the vision, and proclaim the story. We don’t want anyone to miss His glory!
Patti Sauls lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband Scott and daughters, Abby and Ellie, where they serve alongside the people of Christ Presbyterian Church. Prior to living in Nashville, the Sauls planted churches in Kansas City and Saint Louis and served at New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church. A trained speech therapist, Patti also enjoys serving behind the scenes, hiking with friends, and reading good books.
29 thoughts on "Worship Through Proclamation"
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Whether we are looking at nature, a sunrise, a rocky river, or listening to the songs of laughter or voices there is so much that we can see our Lord in and so much to praise Him for. May we cry out his goodness to His glory. Lord help my mouth and my life to be a constant praise of you. For you are worthy of all praise. Set my heart on your word and open my eyes to see and my mouth to speak. Praise you Jesus.
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“The word gospel comes from the Old English god meaning “good” and spel meaning “news, a story.” In Christianity, the term “good news” refers to the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection” The more we understand His sacrifice and His atonement the more we kindle the desire to share the “good news”. The gospel in my life is everything it is my source of hope and strength in this life. I see His blessings all around me which in return opens up my heart to more joy and happiness. I just count make it without His gospel. Now, it’s my responsibility to share the gospel with others so they too, can taste of the sweetness of God.
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Praise be to God!! I love how it’s good to have that joy and praise bubble up and over flow from us! It’s always so rewarding and refreshing! Sometimes I get lost in the struggles of life and do not recognize the joy in
my journey. I always know my joys and am always thankful but I still carry burdens. I don’t always know how to let go of them. I want to praise Him always.
I like a quote that was in “He Reads Truth” devotion for today.“I just can’t shut up about how good He is. That is a sacrifice of praise.
Let us be people who can’t stop talking about the gospel. Let us be filled with awe and wonder at what God has done for us. Let us be people who proclaim the truth of God’s Word to a world in need. And let our words be received by our Father as the worship due His name. “For I will proclaim the LORD’s name. Declare the greatness of our God” (Deuteronomy 32:3).”
I want to worship God with joy like that.
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“Praise is inner-health made audible…” beautiful truth.
Holy Lord God
We praise and magnify your Name
You spit into the dirt and formed a healing cover.
Blind eyes opened.
On the cross you gave it all
Even your spit was dried and used up, “I thirst,” you cried
Pouring every part of yourself out
for Love
for Hope
for Life – eternal
for me.
You rose the VICTOR!
Death was defeated!
Sin erased!
And a pathway cleared.
I live on this earth, caked in mud and dust, but,
mixed with You, through the Holy Spirit,
I am alive again
and I can see.
I have been covered
and washed clean!
Your arms open to all.
Opened to me
Open for you.
Praise God
Praise God.-
So touching
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Beautiful
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Amen!
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I’m blessed to live with a body of water behind our house, surrounded by a large woods. Every morning I am blessed to watch the sun rise, a revelation of morning glory. So often my breath is taken away by the view, evidence of God’s faithfulness and generosity. It is kindling for praise. As I open my Bible, the spark initiated by the sun begins to blaze and before too long my soul and spirit are on fire. God is so good. Evidence of His love and care are everywhere. I need only slow down and look. I am so grateful for this beautiful world He’s created. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!
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I also open my bible as the sun is rising every morning, and I love this imagery you painted. Thank you for sharing!
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Such good, GOOD, stuff!!!
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This is link I was referring too. https://www.rzim.org/listen/ask-away/is-god-an-egomaniac
People ask questions and they answer. This might not be the exact episode either, but I’ve listened to different ones recently and some of you may want to check the podcast out. It may be the episode asking if God is good and is He good to me. -
This is so good! The people were weeping when they heard God’s law and Word. However, they were told to be joyful and celebrate! The joy of the Lord is their strength. I just listened to a podcast that talked about Jesus telling Peter to let the net down and he caught the biggest load of fish. He realized then and there that he was a sinner and told Jesus to go from him. I want to see how Holy He is and how much I need Him like Peter did! When we see the depth of our need, we are in awe! Also, I think another podcast mentioned the quote from C.S. Lewis. I believe that! When I really am impressed with someone or something I will tell people. That’s what happens to some people when they experience God’s goodness and power. They have to tell people. The first podcast is: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000446225752. This might not be the exact episode, but it’s in his series about Jesus. It’s the Gospel in life podcast. If it’s not episode 281, just try and episode number below or above 282. The second podcast I discovered was through Ravi Zacharias Ministry. I’ll put a link in the next comment.
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