As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone… …I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
Psalms 71:14-16, 22-24

~~~~~

Joy In The Lord
By Jennifer Kane

Worship rises from my soul,
a melody shaped by awe,
a reverence so deep it trembles
with the weight of Your holiness.

Your truth, unshakable,
Your love, infinite—
these ignite the spark
that becomes a wildfire within.

And joy—oh, the joy!
It cascades like waterfalls,
drenching me in bliss,
in elation, in jubilant freedom.

My heart bursts open,
a symphony of praise,
a thunderous proclamation:
“You alone are worthy!”

Fear gives way to light,
not the fear that binds,
but the kind that bows low
before glory so vast,
it reshapes my very being.

Contentment settles deep,
yet exhilaration soars,
lifting me higher than I ever dreamed—
joy in its purest form,
unrestrained, unending.

And I speak of You,
of Your power,
of Your salvation.
My lips will not stay silent;
Your faithfulness demands a voice.

In reverence, I find my delight.
In worship, I find my freedom.
And in You, I find my joy.

~~~~~

Scripture: Psalm 71:14-16, 22-24

The psalmist’s hope is unshaken, rooted in the unchanging faithfulness of God. Even in a time of great need, he chooses praise over despair. This combination of problems and praise teaches us that worship is not dependent on circumstances but on the unchanging nature of God.

“I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.” Despite the psalmist’s struggles, his hope burns brightly. Hope that grows brighter each day leads to praise that grows stronger and more fervent. Our hope is fueled by the knowledge that God’s blessings are unending, and so our worship becomes an endless song.

The psalmist is committed to proclaiming God’s righteousness and salvation “all the day.” God’s righteousness is limitless—beyond what we can measure or fully comprehend. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas Eve, we are reminded that God’s ultimate righteousness and salvation are revealed in Him. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the psalmist’s hope of a deliverer who would rescue and redeem.

“I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD.” The psalmist’s confidence in God’s strength mirrors the hope we find in the incarnation. When Jesus came to dwell among us, He brought divine strength into our human weakness. As we walk through our own challenges, we too can go forward, not in our own power, but in the strength of the Lord.

“I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.” The psalmist is unwavering in his focus. He recognizes that no human effort or worldly power can compare to the righteousness of God. This Christmas, let us echo the psalmist’s declaration and center our worship on the holy and faithful character of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Today let Psalm 71 invite us into a posture of praise and hope. The psalmist’s unwavering faith in God’s righteousness, salvation, and strength mirrors the joy we celebrate in the birth of Jesus.

As you reflect on the psalmist’s words, consider how his hope continually renews his praise. Let this be a model for your own worship. Whether through song, prayer, or acts of love, engage your whole being in glorifying the God who came to us as Emmanuel—God with us.

Proclaim His faithfulness, share the good news of His salvation, and rest in the strength He provides. Like the psalmist, let us say:

“I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day.”

May this Christmas bring you the uncontainable joy of knowing Jesus and the unshakable hope of His promises fulfilled.

~~~~~

Heavenly Father, On this Christmas Eve, I lift my heart to You in awe and gratitude. You are faithful beyond measure, holy beyond understanding, and full of love beyond comprehension. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, the Light of the world, who came to dwell among us and bring salvation.

Let my lips sing of Your righteousness and my life reflect the beauty of Your holiness. Like the psalmist, may my tongue declare Your praise all the day long. Help me to share the joy of this season with others, proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Fill me with the peace of heaven, the hope of eternal life, and the uncontainable joy of knowing You. May my worship rise to You not only in song but in every thought, word, and action. Strengthen me to walk in Your light, to love as You love, and to serve as You serve.

Glory to You in the highest, Lord! May this sacred time bring honor to Your name as I join the chorus of saints and angels in proclaiming Your majesty. Thank You for the joy of salvation, the hope of redemption, and the promise of eternal life. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

December 24 2024