Psalm 30
August 31, 2025 Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
We praise you this morning for the truth that we find in your word. As David prepares for the dedication of the temple he knows he will not be able to build, he recounts how you have been faithful to him throughout his life. There were many times in David’s life when he was on the run from Saul and also from his own son. I’m sure this pushed his stress to the limit. He also felt the guilt and shame when the prophet Nathan pointed out clearly the sins of adultery and murder David committed. And yet when David was in deep despair, he called out to you and you lifted him up. I’m sure there are many of us here this morning that feel stressed out or are in despair because of struggles we face. May we be encouraged by the fact that you will offer deliverance when we call out to you.
Help us to remember what Pastor David taught us last week about Jesus, the King of the flood, entering into the flood for us. King Jesus can relate to anything we are going through because he humbled himself and became one of us. Help us to take the lesson we learn from David’s life and turn to you when we feel overwhelmed. We also learn from this psalm, when we turn to you, our weeping and wailing will be turned into dancing and joy. It’s hard to imagine that big of a change can take place. And yet, we know you are faithful to come through. May we be reminded of times in our lives when after crying out to you, you lifted us up and brought healing. As a result, help us to respond like David by singing and giving you praise forever.
Father, we lift up the families of Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski who lost their lives in a senseless act of violence this week. May you bring them the peace that passes all understanding we find in Philippians 4:7. We also lift up Endre Gunter, Sophia Forchas, and David Haeg who were seriously injured during the shooting. Please bring healing to their physical bodies and help them to heal emotionally as well. For all of the other families affected by this tragedy, we pray you would come along side of them and provide them with the care and support they need.
Finally Father, we thank you for the refreshing time you allowed N and C to have at a church camp this summer. We continue to ask that you build up N’s strength so he can face the challenges of his schedule. We pray for B and T as they start school this fall. Help them to deepen friendships with their classmates and help them to study well in their classes. We pray you would grant success to the newer members of N and C’s team as they learn the language. May you continue to bless their ministry as they serve you.
We pray this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit….and all God’s people said………Amen.