August 24, 2008

THE HEART’S CRY

“A Song of Praise”

Psalm 145

Susan Ashton is a terrific contemporary Christian singer who tells how God arranged for her to sing about Christ in a setting she never would have dreamed of.

Garth Brooks’ brother Kelly was dating a woman who liked Susan’s music. Kelly called his famous country music brother one day and suggested he invite Ashton to go on the road with him. So he did!
    

Garth hadn’t heard Susan sing until she stepped on stage in Spain on his European tour. That night, he was floored – he loved her voice and found her songs quite moving. Susan tells about that experience. “I was scared. I was afraid I might be booed off the stage while the audience chanted for Garth. But incredibly, I received a standing ovation. I was overwhelmed with how open the audience was to me talking and singing about what it means to be a Christian.”
    

I don’t think anyone here this morning will ever bear witness for Christ on a country music stage. But God will put each one of us in situations we never would have imagined to shine forth his glory and gospel. Your stage may be the cafeteria at work, or a PTA meeting at school, or a conversation with a solitary stranger on a bus. The God who arranges those situations (and he does on a regular basis) will also give you the power, the courage, the love, the words to speak. So when it happens, be bold.
    

In our study of the psalms this month, Psalm 145 is an example of a song of praise. In the last few weeks we’ve read a song of lament, a song of thanks, and a song of trust as our heart’s cry to God. Psalm 145 is a song of praise not so much to direct praise to the Lord as to direct our praise of our God to others for their encouragement and faith. In his song, David intends to praise God every day, share with the next generation the glories and wonders of the Lord, and rejoice in the way that God upholds and defends those who trust in him.

“I will exalt you, my God the King. I will praise your name for ever and ever.” The psalm is addressed to God to be sure. But it contains many declarative statements about God for others to consider. David wants to “exalt, praise, extol” who God is and what God does (his name and his works) for others to discover, receive and rejoice.
    

David knew God’s name to be Yahweh, the covenant name of the God of Israel. In Exodus 3, this is the name Moses heard – I am who I am. Our word of praise hallelujah is the short form of hallelu-yahweh, praise God.
    

Jesus identified himself as one with the Father in his amazing I am statements about himself. “I am… the bread of life; I am… the light of the world; I am… the good shepherd; before Abraham was… I am.”
    

David wants others to know how God’s name brings blessing upon blessing to all those who trust in him. “I will exalt, I will praise, I will extol you, my God and king.”
    

So I have to ask – do you make it a habit, is it just plain fun to tell others about what God is doing in your life? Take a moment right now to think of something or write it down on your program this morning. What is something the Lord has done that would be good to tell someone else about? Perhaps a friend who was ill and now is doing much better; perhaps a need was met in an unexpected way; maybe you connected with a friend you haven’t seen in a long while; maybe you enjoyed a trip or a visit this summer somewhere.
    

You don’t have to preach, use “religious” words, or seem “holier-than-thou.” You simply say, “I’m so thankful to God that my friend Jim is doing better.” And then tell the story. Or, “I was really struggling with something and God met my need in a surprising way.” Then tell how it happened. “How fun it was this week when God connected an old friend again with me.” Share your memories. Or, “I had a great trip to the beach and was reminded of God’s beautiful, powerful, peaceful creation.” Then ask the person what he or she loves out there.
    

These are just friendly conversations you can have with people in your life. Let your life be filled with praises for the Lord who loves you, the God who has saved you, the Christ who demonstrates his kindness in so many ways. Will you do it? Try it out this week.

Pam Sanders, one of our members and elders here at First Presbyterian Church, is the executive director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Utah. I’m sure she has many stories to tell about how the lives of young people are touched by the presence, the role models, the friendship of others.
    

A man named Ken Canfield tells about his experience. “Some 20 years ago, I was a “Big Brother” to a boy named Brian whose parents were divorced. Brian was caught in that time of his life when he was figuring out his identity as a young man and a son. My wife, Dee, and I were newlyweds with no children yet. We came to know Brian’s family through our church, and his mother asked if I could spend some time with him.
   
“Brian and I spent many Saturdays together, and I’ll never forget the way he watched me and listened closely to everything I said. One day I sat down and wrote Brian a short note, nothing profound or heart-stirring. Simply, “Dear Brian, I’m looking forward to getting together again with you this Saturday. I’ve enjoyed our time together, and I just want you to know that you’re a great guy to be around. Your Big Brother, Ken.”
    

The next time he visited Brian, Ken noticed his letter proudly displayed on his Brian’s bedroom wall surrounded by posters of his favorite sports heroes. When Ken saw that, he realized the impact he could have in Brian’s life.
   
David says in verse 4: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They tell of the power of your awesome works. They celebrate your abundant goodness.”
   
It’s so important to pass on the good news of genuine faith to the next generation. Here at First Presbyterian Church we need you to help us share Christ with our children and youth. Laura Shafer and the other Mike Imperiale need you to help teach, be present, befriend, spend time with our kids. In two weeks, a new 11:00 children’s program (Sunday School) begins. We still need leaders for three-week blocks for our Kindergarten through Sixth Grade groups. Easy-to-use, hands-on guides for games, drama, and science projects teach our children about personal faith and life in Christ. We are looking for adults called by God to help. Please call or see Laura right away if you have a heart for “one generation commending to another… the splendor of God’s majesty.”

David goes on in his song to show the benefits and results of God’s presence in our lives. Verses 9-21 it says so much about the Lord for which we can give praise and share with others. “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made… They tell of the glory of your kingdom… so that all people may know of your mighty acts…The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”
    

I’m sure you know it and feel it as I do. I need God’s compassion; I need the Lord’s trustworthy promises in my life; I need to be lifted up when I’m down. But so do others. People you and I meet every day need God in this way. You and I are called to share it with them.

The USA track team experienced disaster this week at the Olympics in Beijing. Passing the baton from one runner to the next is the most critical aspect of a relay race. Both men’s and women’s 4 X 100 relay teams dropped the baton and lost any chance for a medal. In past Olympic Games, these were almost for-sure gold medals for the United States.
    

David concludes the psalm: “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” He wants to pass the baton of faith for others to continue the race. Will you pass the baton with praise for the Lord your God?

Let us pray together.