All Creatures of Our God and King

I promised you a song ages ago. I'm sorry I delayed. I've been...busy and freaking out.

Today, I went back to my old church to honor my father's request. I had to practice humility and grace- two things which I generally lack. But with all the churches I've visited so far (which really haven't been that many) I've learned a lot; what with the warmer weather inducing more positive, altruistic thoughts (and cuter outfits) I have had no other option.

From re-reading Nehemiah, Esther, and Job, I've recognized these three things:

1. "Perhaps I have a hard time praying to God because my prayers feel too much like a monologue instead of a dialogue."
2. People always ask, "Why is the book of Esther in the Bible?" I wonder now if they ask that because she's a woman. Her story isn't pointless. Indeed, 'for such a time as this', but she saved the Jews from another genocide. What do you mean by asking about Esther's importance? Of course a woman can be used by God.
3. The question is not if Job has done right or wrong. The question is what God intends with what appears to be a punishment. I say 'appears' because from reading Job we know that God is not slighting Job- Satan is.

Then this morning having to return to my old church- Nehemiah, Esther, and Job are three 'characters' who experienced different aspects of God's character. Each story, each book, though expressing the same God could not be more different than each other. Nehemiah rebuilds a wall. Esther becomes queen in a foreign land. Job is wonderingly punished.

And yet each of them fast and pray- listen to the advice of peers/mentors presumptuous and otherwise; and God still does what he intends with them. Their lives are so different but God knew what to do exactly in each of their lives.

God did not treat Nehemiah like Esther; nor Esther like Nehemiah; nor Job like Esther; nor Job like Nehemiah; etc. God treated each of them as his or her own person.

And today's sermon (Ephesians 1.3-11) discusses a sort of adoption that God undergoes when believers come unto him. Because historically in Roman society, if you were a slave but impressed your master, your master adopted you into his family. You became one of his children, inheriting the same rights as his biological children- perhaps more so because an adoption is him picking the child, not just- you know- popping out.

Anyway- I'll expand on this throughout this week. It's been too long. I'm sorry.

But the above is why I've chosen 'All Creatures of Our God and King' for today because all creatures are of our God and King.

Here's my song:

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise Him! O praise Him! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing win that are so strong,

Ye clouds that sail in heaven along

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening, find a voice,

O praise Him! O praise Him! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for Thy Lord to hear,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,

Thou givest man both warm and light,

O praise Him! O praise Him! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And all ye men of tender heart,

Forgiving others, take your part,

O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on Him cast your care,

O praise Him! O praise Him! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him! Alleluia! 

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

O praise Him! O praise Him! 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Text: St. Franis of Assisi; translated by William H. Draper

Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, Colonge 1623