In
your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your
strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13
One
of my daughters graduated from high school this past spring. We watched her get
her diploma, and we heard the valedictorian speak about what class members had
learned in their past four years together.
Moses
plays the role of a valedictorian in our Scripture for today. He summarizes some
of what he and Israel have learned from God, and he talks about what lies ahead
for them: God has rescued the nation from its terrifying enemy, and God will
plant Israel in the land, on the mountain of his inheritance! He ends his speech
by exclaiming, “The Lord reigns forever and ever.”
Moses’
speech is an act of worship, an anthem of praise to God, and an encouragement to
God’s people. May you be blessed similarly today as you join a community of
faith and bring your hearts to God together in worship. May a servant of God
also stand before you and proclaim that God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, has
thrown down all who oppose him, that in his strength he will guide you to
himself, and that he will plant you in the sanctuary he has established.
May
you, in turn, become a valedictorian like that for your family, your friends,
and your neighbors. Let them hear what you have learned. Tell others about God’s
faithfulness, his goodness, and his love!
You
are worthy of praise and thanks and adoration, O Lord! Accept the worship that
we bring today, and bless us by your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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