Revelation 19:1-10
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is a mash-up of two Hebrew words that together mean Praise the God of Israel. Pastor Dave began by noting that it is often hard for us to praise God, to worship Him, because we are self-absorbed, like a child who can’t celebrate a sibling’s birthday because the party isn’t about him. Take a minute to list some of the “me” things that keep you from worshiping: my to-do list, my schedule, my preferences, my problems, my aspirations, my hurts. Take a minute … but no more than that, lest we go even further down the “me” rabbit hole. Then ask: Holy Spirit, teach me to forget me, to set myself aside, so I can worship.

Ponder before the Lord why we worship or, in other words, what we can praise about Him. It’s easy to start out praising and lapse into thanksgiving for the everyday physical blessings God gives us. Giving thanks is good, but it’s not quite the same as praise. Could I, would I, praise God if He hadn’t given me those blessings? This week’s passage yields several topics for praise. Praise God because His judgments are true and just and eternal. Praise God because He is Almighty, meaning all-powerful. What He desires, He does. He cannot be thwarted. Praise God because He reigns as King, and yet He uses the intimate, relational language of family (marriage) with His people. I suspect we could open our Bibles to any page and find something there to praise God for.

Now, worship! But perhaps you feel inadequate, as if you were being asked to sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” as a solo. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you that you are part of a great multitude – God’s people around the globe, in every nation; God’s people across time, past and present and future. Daily, purpose to set self aside, rehearse the many reasons for praise, and join the great multitude in lifting your voice in praise to the God of Israel. Hallelujah!

Calvary Family
A core value of missions at Calvary is relationship, a commitment that extends beyond retirement. A letter with news from Calvary and a financial Christmas gift were sent out last week to retired missionaries Saundra and Dick Watson (in North Carolina), Rose Palfenier (in Texas), and Pat Pence (in Anaheim). Please pray for these servants of God who poured themselves out for His kingdom work over many decades.

Pray for people in our congregation who have lost loved ones this year, or in recent years. Death rips a hole in the survivors’ hearts that can take a long time to heal, and the holiday season can be a particularly difficult time. Ask the Lord to give them an extra measure of His comfort and care as they celebrate Christmas and a New Year.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert