“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered…
He brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 105:1-5,43-45
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“Since then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:1-3,16
The Lord made man in His image for a special relationship with Himself, fashioning him with unique capabilities to know, fear, love, and obey Him. Once we are saved, His Spirit begins to sanctify, conforming us to His image and preparing us for heaven. The psalmist engages mind and mouth, thought and praise, every faculty, to this end.
Give thanks! Call upon the LORD’s name! Make known His deeds! Sing to Him, sing praises! Tell of all His wonders! Glory in His name! Rejoice in heart! Seek the Lord! Seek His strength and presence! Remember what He has done! To employ ourselves in God’s wonders and praise is to continually renew the mind and fill our souls with joyful, Godward abandon. Meditating on Him and voicing His greatness shapes our mindset and attitude toward all that comes our way.
To live a life hidden in Christ takes willful discipline. We cannot separate Sunday worship from weekday stresses, devotion and prayer from duties and play. When Christ Jesus becomes our all in all, He infiltrates every aspect of thought and effort. We become subject to His character and supremacy in all parts of life. Our exercise of agency is under His rule, our every expression within His freedom. (1 Corinthians 15:28)
What evidence do we display, in speech, discernment, or action, of God’s word dwelling richly in us? How will we renew our minds and actions afresh? What daily practices will we employ to voice praise and think on what is above rather than things of earth? How can we turn ordinary speech to rejoicing, what is banal and routine to vigorous doing of God’s will? Flooding our minds with God’s graces and deeds fills us to overflow in praise.
Lord, I offer to You my mind, mouth, and movement, so in everything, You are the One seen and heard, and glorified.
As the rain and snow 