Heart of Worship: 30 Days to Deeper PraiseSample

Hi there, it’s Jonsal Barrientes from Elevation Worship and I am excited to bring you today’s Scripture from Psalms 136.

When you start to read through Psalm 136, you begin to see a window into David’s heart as he begins to share stories of God’s goodness, detailing God’s history with His children and His everlasting love, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (NIV)

One of my favorite traditions growing up was that every year for my birthday, my Dad would check me out of school early so we could spend the day together. I remember all throughout my primary school years and into early high school feeling like my birthday was the best day all year. Yes, I loved missing classes and getting out of school work was nice, but most of all it was the CONFIDENCE of my Dad coming to pick me up. It didn’t matter what we did, whether it was going for a meal, to TOYS-R-US, or the mall, I felt special and more loved than I was able to understand at the time.

All these years later, those are still some of my favorite childhood memories. It wasn’t the gifts, the restaurants, going to amusement parks, or even skipping school that made those days special — it was spending the intentional time with my Dad and Mom who loved me and wanted me to feel special.

When I read Psalm 136, it makes me smile imagining what God's children must have felt like to witness His intentional miracles, proving His loving kindness. David details some of the most beautiful highlights of God's hand at work — creating the universe, strategically placing the stars in the sky, bringing His children out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. All proof of the Father’s love and provision that gives us CONFIDENCE that He will always be faithful to His promise.

Can I encourage you today? Whatever sickness, anxiety, financial hardship, dream, or fear you are holding are already held by the One who has all power. Rest in this promise, you are a masterpiece — chosen, loved, and accepted by the God of the universe.

As a challenge:

Read through Psalm 136 and reflect on the times when it was undeniably His hand at work. Write a few of them down and read those testimonies back to yourself, finishing the sentence with “for His love endures forever.”