Opening Prayer
Lord, lead us into the holiness of Your Word, and let us remain there continually. Amen.
Text: Isaiah 42:5-10
Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them!
Devotion
You who know the Lord and His grace should bless Him and sing praises to His name. We were blind and walked about in the darkness of death. Our heart served strange gods, loved the creature rather than the Creator. Our heart was without peace and didn’t know its unhappiness. But Jesus came and opened our eyes. We who were blind now see. He led us out into the clear daylight of grace, lifted us from the bonds of idolatry, and taught us to know the only true God. Now we love Him, and He grants peace to our heart. Great is our joy; still more glorious things await us: “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” (Psa 16:6). So sing to the Lord a new song, that is: heartfelt thanks for the new revelation of His glory, for new, ever new insight into the depths of His grace. For He leads us always into new regions of His kingdom, into new rooms in His house. We understand more and more with all the saints, “what is the height and depth and length and breadth, and to know the love of Christ that passes understanding” (Eph 3:18-19). It really seems to us sometimes that our knowledge becomes less instead of increasing. But every Christian who lives in daily repentance continually advances in God’s wisdom, even when he does not notice it himself. The eyes are operated on and healed in darkness.
O praise God, all His believers, praise Him unceasingly, tell of His wondrous deeds! Satan is speechless when it comes to God’s laud and praise. He wants to silence us too, but his bonds are broken, and our tongues are loosed. Sing to the Lord, you who dwell on the rock of faith. Who will do it otherwise? Give the Lord honor with humble hearts. Sound His praise, so that it is heard over all the earth. Over all the earth, I say. Your song of praise reaches even farther than the best musical voice. The thanksgiving of God’s people is heard not only over all the earth, but it reaches into heaven and is precious to the heart of the Lord our God.
Closing Prayer
Let us know You, Lord, and let us praise You always with a new song here and hereafter to all eternity. Give us grace for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
Rent the temple curtain’s center,
Fearless we may boldly enter,
Through the veil the holy place,
There to stand before His face;
He who once came down from heaven,
Fear from all our breasts hath driven;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hence thy King, O Zion, praising,
Heart and voice to Him upraising,
Shout with joy, thou royal heir
In His kingdom thou wilt share;
Come, thyself as off’ring bringing,
Come, thou Bride, forever singing
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Freylinghausen: Wake! the welcome day appeareth L 95:7-8 ELH 95:7-8 tr. F. E. Cox;
tune: Op thi Dagen