A SONG OF ASCENTS.
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
who stand by night in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!
May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!
Gracious God and Heavenly Father,
We are urged to bless you; to speak well of you and to praise you. We confess we often fail at this. We complain and we are tempted to say things that do not praise you when we are suffering or feeling sorry for ourselves. Job never cursed you even through all his afflictions, but repented and praised you. Our greatest model is our Lord Jesus, who accepted his path and urged you to forgive sinners even as he was dying on the cross for our sakes. May we always praise you, in every circumstance, with the help of the Holy Spirit, because you are worthy of all praise and glory.
Father, you bless us also. When you bless us, you give us the strength to carry out whatever task you have for us. Jesus completed his task of reconciliation by enduring the judgement that was laid upon him. And so when we are in Christ, we can be assured that we will be equipped for our ministries and all that you require of us as well.
Praise be to God! Amen