I have been praying through the Psalms this trip, this morning chapters 113-118, lingering this morning in that will known verse from the last chapter. “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.” 118:24
The sun has not yet crept over the horizon and the night sounds of Africa linger in the air….hundreds of monkeys scampering through the trees with nimble quickness……over 1,000 different species of birds preparing to greet the first rays of daylight with chirping songs of praise….in the distance jackals howl in celebration after capturing breakfast…. A hyena walking up the steps of my hut nudges the door of my cabin with its nose hoping to find an open door quickly darts back in the forest when hearing the footsteps of an security guard making his final rounds of the night……Soon the imam will climb the tower of the mosque chanting through a microphone that sends his beckoning call over the countryside for Muslims to wake up and pray to Allah. ……A single mosquito buzzing in my hut, herself seeking substance.
The night sounds of Africa are much like the sounds of our own lives as we awaken each morning. Both our souls and bodies yearn for food to fill the emptiness in our rested bodies. We crave substance. We hunger and we thirst for more than what we experienced the day before and the day before. We long for the first rays of daylight to burst through the darkness of our souls, giving hope to a grief stricken heart. And when we do discover the food we so desperately need and the first rays of hope do penetrate our dark night of the soul, we want to sing, we want to celebrate…”This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Though we are 8400 miles apart I am find myself praying for you with even more intensity. Perhaps it is the distance that fuels that desire, but I have noticed that as I age I realize that prayer is the greatest work. As your pastor and friend, more than preaching, teaching or counseling, God has called me to pray for the body. So as you wind down your Tuesday and prepare for a good night’s sleep, now that the God of Africa, Texas and the entire Cosmos is aware of every yearning hunger in your body, mind and soul and when morning comes, he will surely satisfy. Be ready to awake tomorrow and every day this song on your lips….”This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
