Psalm 30:1-3
1I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2O Lord my God, I cried out to you,
and you restored me to health.
3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
I thought about using Ecclesiastes “to everything there is a season” passage for my last devotion; but I didn’t really want to be cliché about ending our time together. So, instead, let me offer you some encouragement.
Psalm 30 is a great reminder to praise God in everything that goes on in life. The writer names good times and bad times, times when God showed up in mighty ways, and times when God could not be seen. For us, in the time I have been your pastor, the challenges and joys have been many; but through it all we have worshipped, communed, and lived faithful lives that glorify God. Now we are called to move into something new and exciting.
My prayer for you is that you embrace the new things with the joy and excitement that psalm 30 offers. Exalt the Lord in all things; listen to the Lord for guidance; trust that the Lord will not let you go down to the grave, but will restore you to new life and vitality as you are resurrected to the new life God always offers the faithful.
Be at peace. Be filled with joy. Trust in God’s promises. And know with confidence that the Church of Jesus Christ will endure forever. Amen.