Yet this can seem like poetic licence and simple hyperbole... unless we actually look at what God has done for us. Creation, providence, salvation, giving us his Spirit to lead and to guide us, giving us his truth and word and of course I could go on and often do. We are surrounded by God's goodness. In the end we are called to respond not just with words but in the way we live, so we confess our sins and pray that with the help of God's spirit we may in all we do bring praise to God. The passage I am preaching on this week in Matthew 5:13-16 which says that we are the light of the world and people should see our good deeds and give praise to our Father in Heaven.'
Eternal and almighty God
Loving and forgiving Lord,
What words can we
bring to praise you?
How can we describe who you are and what you have dome for
us
We are surrounded by your goodness
Not even the sky is
the limit when we think of your love
The vastness of the universe is not enough to contain it all
Your faithful covenant love stretches beyond our horizons of
time and space
Your righteousness is as solid and dependable as the mountains
Your justice as immeasurable as the ocean depth
We are surrounded by your goodness
You provide for all your creation
Both the needs of animals in their habitats
And human beings
Your unfailing love shown to us is priceless
You give us refuge
You give abundantly, from your storehouse
Life giving water, for body and soul
You are the source of abundant life
By the light of your truth you open up our eyes
We are surrounded by your goodness
Maybe that’s over the top hyperbole
But how else can we express our thanks
You created all that there is
This wonderful world in which we live
Its beauty and grandeur speaks of your praise
Through it you
provide for our needs, physical and spiritual
When we had turned away from you
You didn’t write us off, and leave us in our own darkness
You took the costly step of sending your son Jesus into this
world
To show us the way and lead us into truth
Who gave up his life on the cross
Paid the debt for all we had done wrong
Being raised from dead he broke the chains of sin and death
Enabling us to be forgiven and live a new life
You sent your spirit to equip and lead us in that life
follow Jesus
You have been working in history and in our past
You hold our future in your hands
You watch our going outs and coming in and guide our steps
We are surrounded by your goodness
Being surrounded by that goodness
We come this morning and confess our sins
Forgive us when we limit our love
When we ration our forgiveness
And hold back from giving to others to protect our comfort
Forgive us for the wrong we do
And for the good we overlook
In Christ’s name we pray
We are surrounded by your goodness
As we confess our sins you are faithful and just
You forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness
We are surrounded by your goodness
Fill us afresh with your spirit
That we may share the good news of your love in Christ Jesus
That it just wouldn’t be struggling for the right things to
say
But that our all our lives an all we do we may bring you praise
All praise to you O God, father son and Holy Spirit
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