June 30 | Psalm 100

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DAILY READING

Psalm 100

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REFLECTION

Joyful Worship!

By Dave Mann

Often, we tend to think that all of the psalms were written by King David, unless otherwise noted.  This may or may not be true.  Perhaps he was the author, or perhaps he was the collector of most of the psalms.  Whoever penned them, they are a wonderful collection of inspired worship songs from antiquity that continue to lead us to the Lord in the present as well.

After the 23rd, Psalm 100 may be among the most well-known of the 150 psalms.  It walks us into the Lord’s presence with an attitude of gratitude. 

 Vv. 1-2 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Many people are rather reserved during Sunday morning worship.  But really, why should we not be enthusiastic in our praise?  Of all people on earth, we followers of Jesus have the most reason to lift our voices and to give joyful homage to our Lord.  Why should the decibel level of our worship not exceed that of when we watch our favorite sports team win the championship? 

V. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Our God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  We are doubly under the protection of our God.  He has created us, and he has redeemed us, i.e., brought us back when we have strayed.

V. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

When the Israelite people came to Jerusalem to worship, groups of people on pilgrimage would sing worship songs at high volume as they entered the gates of the city.  Likewise, when they entered the courtyard surrounding the temple, these same groups of worshippers would raise their voices even higher.  Even in the current age, we join our voices together in praise.

V. 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

What is the reason and motivation for our worship?  Is it not that we know that God is good and faithful in all his ways?  Yes, we give thanks when we discover anew that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.  But principally, our worship is not only about what God does or what God gives us.  But the greatest worship focuses on who God is – his character, his personhood, his essence.  Great is our experience of worship when we join our voices together to acclaim the goodness and the faithfulness of our God.

No matter what our circumstances – joy, sadness, disappointment, hopefulness, courage, fear – it is right for us to give thanks to our God.

PRAYER

Use a slightly modified form of Psalm 100 as your prayer today – something like this:

I shout to the Lord.  I worship the Lord with gladness.  I come before him with joyful songs. I know that the Lord is God... etc.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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June 29 | Psalm 23:5-6, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

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DAILY READING

Psalm 23:5-6

2 Samuel 5:1-5

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REFLECTION

Overflowing Love

By Elaine Pierce

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them, and they anointed David king over Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:6b

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Matthew 3:16.

When he was in Bethany...a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume...She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3.

To be 'anointed' means to have your head rubbed with oil or holy water, and it signifies the Lord's favor. In today's passage we read about the elders anointing David as their king. David alludes to his anointing in Psalm 23. David's anointment foreshadows Jesus anointing, as we read in the New Testament. All of scripture points to Jesus, and Psalm 23 is no exception.

David was king of Israel for 40 years, and he served God and God's people humbly and well. However, he was far from perfect. As we say every Sunday in our corporate prayer of confession, "we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed." We don't deserve a 'table in the presence of our enemies.' We don't deserve goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. And yet, that is what God promises to those who love him and call him Lord.

Tim Keller, well-known author, preacher and church planter, described the Christian faith like this: "The gospel says you are simultaneously more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than you ever dared hope." Take time this week to meditate on this psalm and to once again thank God for the gift of life, of hope, of love, and of mercy. What a mighty God we serve!

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for loving me not because I deserve to be loved. I fall short every day, and yet you are there to pick me up. Thank you for filling my cup to overflowing. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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June 28 - Psalm 59

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DAILY READING

Psalm 59

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REFLECTION

When the Dogs Howl

By Michael Guastella

Life always seems to have a way of throwing curveballs. Sometimes, those curveballs feel less like a game and more like a relentless assault. We can find ourselves surrounded, hemmed in by circumstances, criticisms, or even outright enemies, much like David did in Psalm 59. The very first verse tells us his situation: "Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me." Saul’s men were literally surrounding his house, waiting to kill him.

David’s plea is urgent, just as ours always seem to be. He describes his adversaries as bloodthirsty men, wicked, and treacherous.  He paints us a picture of their nastiness, comparing them to dogs howling around the city, ready to devour him. I am sure we can all relate to that feeling of being hunted, and of facing unjust accusations or relentless opposition. Perhaps it’s a difficult boss, a critical family member, a toxic friendship, or even the oppressive weight of your own insecurities.

What’s remarkable in David’s prayer is his unshakeable confidence in God, even amidst the immediate danger. He doesn’t pretend the threat isn't real, but he immediately turns to his Deliverer. "You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors" (v. 5). David knows the character of his God – powerful, just, and sovereign over all.

He anticipates God’s intervention, declaring, "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" (v. 16). Even before the deliverance, David is choosing to worship. He shifts his focus from the howling dogs outside his door to the unfailing love and mighty strength of his God. This is a powerful lesson for us. When we feel overwhelmed, our natural inclination might be to despair or to try and fight in our own strength. But David shows us a better way: to fix our eyes on the Lord.

Psalm 59 is a reminder that God is our refuge, our strong tower, our fortress in times of trouble. He sees our struggles, hears our cries, and is mighty to save. We may not always understand why we face certain trials, but we can rest in the assurance that God is actively working on our behalf. He is not a distant, indifferent deity, but a present and powerful helper.

So, when the "dogs" in your life begin to howl, remember David's prayer. Lay your burdens before the Lord. Trust in His strength, sing of His love, and find your refuge in Him. For He is our strength, our refuge, and our God of mercy. In His perfect timing, He will deliver.

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PRAYER

God, you know our deepest fears. Let us recognize them not as crippling - but as gifts from You. Opportunities to turn to You, to trust You deeper, to know You better, and to learn our greatest comfort will always come from You. Grant us the forbearance during our anxious and terrifying moments to feel Your love, and may we always strive to turn to You first.

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About the Author

MICHAEL GUASTELLA

I have been a Hilliard resident since 2022, and have lived in Columbus about 11 years. I am originally from the Cleveland area. I work in downtown Columbus as a government affairs consultant. My wife, Rachael, and I have been attending UALC since early 2024.