From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalms 113:3 NIV
Information Technology has a support model called "Follow the Sun (FTS)." This idea became necessary as companies required computer systems to be up and running 24 hours a day. The result was that places on the other side of the world could respond while the other was sleeping. It was only a short time afterward that support also turned into software development. For example, a team in India might continue a project that had been started earlier that day in the United States; coming in the next morning, the US would pick up where the Indian team had left off.
Thousands of years before, the psalmist exhorts that praise to the Lord "follow the sun," suggesting the Earth's circumference and the time it takes for the rotation cycle and all the people under the sun. At every moment, let the Lord's name be praised for all our days–keeping our days with joyful and thankful hearts.
Psalm 113 begins and ends with "Praise the Lord." In the religious tradition, I was raised in, it was not unusual to hear this proclamation in response to someone's testimony. For example, a person might say, "Thanks to God, I've been sober five years today," to which some would reply, "Praise the Lord," in acknowledgment of God's goodness and grace. But what if, like the psalm, we started using the expression as a greeting and goodbye? The greeting would be a constant reminder to praise He who creates and forgives.
As great as it is, the greeting might be slow in adoption. But this day and forever more, let's praise Him with grateful hearts. Giving thanks for each day, we are given by God. Secure in the knowledge that God is with us, and we are his chosen, forgiven people. Praise the Lord!
God, you are worthy of our praise from the rising to the sun's setting. You bless us with so many good gifts, and we often fail even to say thank you. We are guilty of taking our days for granted. But from this moment forward, we are going to praise you! We will hold your name worshipfully in our hearts in our comings, goings, and all circumstances. Help us to share your goodness with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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