Faithfulness to all Generations
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PSALM 100
1. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! 2. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3. Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! 5. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Well, this morning I am doing something I have not done in many years: going shopping! I have deliberately avoided this day of conspicuous consumption in years past in protest. This year, I have a college-age daughter who is broke and needs to buy gifts for friends—and wants to take advantage of the sales! Yes, I’m a nice mom! I’m going to keep her company! And we are NOT going to any of the malls! (That’s my compromise!)
We spent Thanksgiving day yesterday at our church preparing, serving and eating food prepared for our CARITAS guests. (This year we housed 23 homeless women—we have traditionally requested CARITAS for Thanksgiving week at our church) What a wonderful day of fellowship, not only with the CARITAS guests, who were so appreciative, but also with other members of our congregation! Some came early in the morning to put the turkeys in the oven. Some showed up a bit later to make a last minute run to the grocery store. Some stopped by to do the prep work and set the tables. Some came later to clean up and do dishes. Some came early and stayed late!
What does Psalm 100 have to do with all this? I found myself praising God all day long yesterday. Praising him that I have a family who loves and cares for me – and would never allow me to end up homeless and alone; praising him that I am part of a faith community that intentionally reaches out to others on a day traditionally spent with family and friends; praising him that his love extends to everyone—and through us, we could share his love.
I am so thankful for my church family! I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing, generous, loving, giving, and caring group of Christians! They continually not only raise the bar for me of how a Christian is to act and to live, they also love and support me when I can’t live up to that high standard!
As you are working today, or out shopping, or fixing turkey soup, or putting up Christmas decorations, please keep this in mind: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
I hope you spend this upcoming holiday season, sharing with the next generation how good is our God, how steadfast, how loving and how faithful he is to all generations – in the past and for those to come.
Mary
