With a Thankful Heart 

(our theme for November)

Psalm 35:18 CEV

And when your people meet, I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all.

Most Methodist church services are, what I would call, reserved, respectful, and calming.  Because of this, the verse today makes me think of old time Tent Revivals and the expressive worship and praise services of, perhaps a Billy Graham Crusade from long ago, where thousands of adoring worshipers shouted, clapped hands, and even danced in the aisles. They ran to the altar for absolution and salvation.

I also remember attending church services with my grandma and feeling God’s closeness, while praising God with her, our hands raised to heaven, while people around us often cried, shouted, or prayed out loud, in front of each other.

Now, the closest I have personally come to “dancing in the aisles” was when my grandson Tyler was only 12 years old.  Tyler passed out unexplainably at school one day and was rushed to the hospital.  There it was discovered that he had a massive brain tumor.  The “brilliant Dr. Alexa Canady, the genius brain surgeon, successfully removed most of the invasive monster from my Tyler’s head and when she announced her success and told us Tyler would survive, everyone in the hospital, everyone at work, everyone in my neighborhood, heard my loud shouting and praises to God.  I literally praised God and danced for joy in front of them all!

This year, on September 1, under a big tent in our church parking lot, with cars passing by, Pastor Jonathan gave a wonderful sermon and directed the congregants to loudly proclaim, Hallelujah, at several intervals.  Those voices raised together felt like we answered the call from this verse: “I will praise you and thank you, Lord, in front of them all,” the neighbors and all the passing cars!

Perhaps we need the energy and communal praise more than we know.  So…let us not be shy about praising God among the people.  And maybe occasionally a little bit more in our reserved, quiet sanctuaries. 

Pray with me now…

Hallelujah, Lord!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Give me courage to praise you when your people meet, Lord!

Even if it is silently, within my heart.

But, also, occasionally with my mouth, so others know I Praise You!

And I do!

Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!

AMEN!

This devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. 

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.