Punctuate it with Hallelujahs!

Earlier this week our fearless leader (some might refer to her as Siesta Mama), declared this week to be the week of rejoicing. Regardless of if we wanted to or not, we would “rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, rejoice!” (Anybody catch that tune with me? Grin.) I thought it was so appropriate because Sunday morning happened to be an all around joyful morning at church, for no particular reason, so I was kind of already in rejoicing mode, you know, if “rejoicing mode” is a thing.

Fast forward to this morning. Although I do love the peacefulness and calmness the mornings bring, I am not by nature a morning person. I tend to fall heavier on the “night owl” side of that pendulum. This morning, however, was one of those rare mornings that I popped right out of bed with a joy on me that can only come from God. I might even consider it a Friday morning miracle.

I would assume a big reason for my joyful spirit this morning was an overflow of last night, when I was able to attend a Night of Worship with All Sons & Daughters. I mentioned earlier this year that their CD was one of my favorite things, and to this day, it still is. In fact, I’ll bet it never grows old to me. I am but one that is so grateful for the way they use their gifts to lead people in worship, and for their simple pastoral hearts. So genuine, so anointed and so authentic. Many of their songs acknowledge how broken and in need of Christ we are, but then turn it to how good, holy, and perfect Jesus Christ is and the redemption He alone brings.  If you’re looking for some new worship music, their CD is a must-have!

Right before we all sang “All the Poor and Powerless” which they wrote but you also might recognize off of Travis Cottrell’s live CD as well, they read Psalm 22 out of the Message.

I can honestly tell you that as many times as I’ve read and heard that Psalm, I don’t thing I’ve ever heard it out of this translation, and if I had, I certainly haven’t paid attention. It struck me with fresh eyes and fresh faith. I’m pasting it here in hopes that it pierces your heart, too.

As we enter into the weekend, let us rejoice and punctuate the weekend with Hallelujahs! What if we did that long before we got to church Sunday morning? Instead of depending on our worship leader to get us pumped up, we can depend on the Holy Spirit, His word and the rejoicing and Hallelujahs we’ve been exclaiming all weekend. Even if we never get it together, we worship Him! He alone is worthy. Amen? Amen.

22-24 “Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship,

and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:

Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;

give glory, you sons of Jacob;

adore him, you daughters of Israel.

He has never let you down,

never looked the other way

when you were being kicked around.

He has never wandered off to do his own thing;

he has been right there, listening.

25-26 Here in this great gathering for worship

I have discovered this praise-life.

And I’ll do what I promised right here

in front of the God-worshipers.

Down-and-outers sit at God’s table

and eat their fill.

Everyone on the hunt for God

is here, praising him.

“Live it up, from head to toe.

Don’t ever quit!”

27-28 From the four corners of the earth

people are coming to their senses,

are running back to God.

Long-lost families

are falling on their faces before him.

God has taken charge;

from now on he has the last word.

29 All the power-mongers are before him

—worshiping!

All the poor and powerless, too

—worshiping!

Along with those who never got it together

—worshiping!

30-31 Our children and their children

will get in on this

As the word is passed along

from parent to child.

Babies not yet conceived

will hear the good news—

that God does what he says.”

Psalm 22:22-31 (The Message)