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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We just sold our big suburban house and downsized. We live in a small city apartment now. Our most precious thing os the beautiful panoramic sunset evrry evening. But we must stop and rnjoy it, or we miss it. Thanks be to God for that.
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I’m known to interrupt conversations in the car and make people pause and look at the glorious sunset. I hope to do the same when it comes to the works of God in my life—stop everything and point out to everyone just how good my God is!
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I, like the author of the devotion, find myself in awe and wonder of the beauty of the world around me. I am always quick to thank God for creating such a splendid sight for me to behold. Photography has always been a passionate hobby of mine, and I try to capture what God has created in the moment. It’s definitely not the same. Nonetheless, I feel as though I
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This is so timely. God has been revealing Himself to myself and my husband in such tangible ways recently, we can’t help but recognize His presence and His power! And it’s true, we feel compelled to share the amazing things God is doing!!
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I love to watch the seasons change and the sunrise and set. The birds in the air remind me to not worry because my Heavenly Father knows what I need and He promises to provide it. I love to sit down in the morning with a delicious cup of hot coffee and open my beautiful She Reads Truth Bible and soak in the Presence of the Lord. All of this and more reminds me and tells me of the beauty and wonder of all that God is, all that He’s made and all that He does for His children. When I stop to think on these things, my heart swells with adoration and jubilant praise and I can’t but help to say Thank You! to God whose grace is poured out on my life every single day.
Father God, thank You for Your creation that tells me all about You. I’m in awe of all that You are. You are Holy, Glorious and Good and I lift my hands in praise to You this morning. In Jesus Name! Amen.
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As I read today’s passages, 1 Peter 2:9-10 came to my mind. We were chosen by God with the very purpose of proclaiming Him to others! I love the MSG translation of 1 Peter 2:9-10 and had to share:
“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”
God has certainly made a night-and-day difference in my life. What a privilege we have to share our stories with others and proclaim His goodness!
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Last night we celebrated the end of my 12 step study through Celebrate Recovery. For nearly a year I was a part of an amazing group of ladies who have become sisters to me, great friends, a shoulder to cry on, we became very close. God was at work within us! We all Experienced miracles together, overcame so much together. Yes God was at work! And He still is! And HE will continue. I saw God move in the most amazing ways within our group. GOD gets ALL the glory!
“Hi my name is Mari, I’m celebrating recovery of codependency”-
Congratulations!
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Congratulations
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Congratulations!
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Aw.. Thank you friends
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Congratulations Mari! ❤️
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I am so blown away by the overwhelming love and grace of God through Jesus, my Lord. Lord, please give us opportunities today to tell others about the good news so that they too can know You and experience your love and grace!
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