Come And See

COME AND SEE

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!

Sing about the glory of his name!

Tell the world how glorious he is.

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!

Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.

Everything on earth will worship you;

they will sing your praises,

shouting your name in glorious songs.”

Come and see what our God has done,

what awesome miracles he performs for people!

He made a dry path through the Red Sea,

and his people went across on foot.

There we rejoiced in him.

For by his great power he rules forever.

He watches every movement of the nations;

let no rebel rise in defiance.

Let the whole world bless our God

and loudly sing his praises.

Our lives are in his hands,

and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

You have tested us, O God;

you have purified us like silver.

You captured us in your net

and laid the burden of slavery on our backs.

Then you put a leader over us.

We went through fire and flood,

but you brought us to a place of great abundance.

Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings

to fulfill the vows I made to you—

yes, the sacred vows that I made

when I was in deep trouble.

That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you—

the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma,

and a sacrifice of bulls and male goats.

Come and listen, all you who fear God,

and I will tell you what he did for me.

For I cried out to him for help,

praising him as I spoke.

If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

But God did listen!

He paid attention to my prayer.

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer

or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

In many of our churches, worship is a pretty tame affair. Our hearts are in it, but we sway only slightly, not wanting to invade the space of the person next to us. This psalmist seems far from tame; it’s no stretch to imagine him shouting and jumping, raising his hands and clapping with vigor! God had acted, and the psalmist just couldn’t contain his praise. He wanted everyone to know what God had done on this particular occasion and all throughout history. “Come and see” (verse 5), he said, inviting anyone who would listen. Implied in his invitation was the assurance that God is not far off or aloof but present and active. How might our lives be shaped if, in response to God’s acts, we allowed praise and thanksgiving to overtake us and invited others into our experience?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• What “come and see” experience have you had recently that makes you shake your head in awe at God’s greatness and love for you? If no one were watching, how would you want to express your praise and thanksgiving to God?
• Spend a few minutes in prayer, asking God to bring someone to mind who needs to hear your “come and see” story. What about your story do you think will connect with that person?

Lord, there are so many ways you have acted in my life and in history that spark awe in me when I consider them. Just thinking of the saving love and grace of Jesus is enough, but you have done even more. You have acted in my life in ways that make me know you are real, you are loving, and you are powerful. Thank you, thank you, thank you! May I never fail to praise and thank you. Remind me to invite others into my thanksgiving so those who know you can be encouraged and reminded and those who don’t yet know you might come to believe. Use me to tell your story. Amen.