“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”
Today’s passage has an interesting rhythm, moving back and forth between corporate and individual themes. It begins with the children of each generation proclaiming God’s power. In the next sentence, the focus shifts to a personal one: “I will meditate…” We then move back to “every tongue” followed by another individual act (“I will proclaim…”). Our final verse for today ends with a focus on everyone singing with joy.
Often as Americans, we can become so caught up in our personal journey with Jesus that we forget how important community is. We also forget how important diversity is and we neglect to see our generation as part of a much larger whole. The story of the kingdom of God extends many generations back, across a globe of cultures, united by one powerful God.
Here’s your freedom for today: you have one small part in God’s very big story. Your time here on earth is a sliver of the whole. Your cultural heritage is one piece of the puzzle. God is truly glorified when we each individually join into one global, corporate act of worship. We should not all look the same or act the same — God’s kingdom is far above any culture or time in history. As you praise God today and this week, be mindful of the billions around the world and across history that are joining with you.
Worshipping God together in community really gives for me such a peaceful and loving feeling as sisters and brothers in Christ