Jesus’ Ministry
January 9, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
   worship the Lord in holy splendor.

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
   the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
   May the Lord bless his people with peace! –Psalm 29:1-2, 10-11

The Hebrew word, yahab, translated “ascribe” in this Psalm literally means to give. The English word ascribe adds a flavor to the meaning “to give”. The Psalmist is targeting this direct command to its reader, so we are apparently given the instruction to give voice to our recognition that God is the one to whom we are to give glory and strength. Now, I may be misunderstanding this scripture, but I do not feel capable of giving God any more strength than God already has. So, what am I to do with this scripture? Is it perhaps saying that the recognition that God is the source of my good strength is a way of giving the Lord glory and strength for others to see?

Russell Westbrook, the lead point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, in every interview when he is asked how he accomplished some unbelievable play, he always says, “It wasn’t me, man, it was the guy upstairs who gave me the skills.” The implication of course is that when God gives us skills, God expects us to use them to God’s glory.

Prayer: Lord, help us to hone the skills you give us and to use them to your glory. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.