DEVOTION: Psalm 47:6–8 (NIV)
“Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.”
THOUGHTS:
As fireworks lit up the sky and flags waved in summer breezes, it’s easy to get caught up in patriotism—and rightly so. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, the sacrifices made by so many, and the rich blessings we often take for granted. But in all the celebration, it is good to pause and remember a deeper truth: earthly kings rise and fall, presidents are temporary, and empires eventually crumble, but the King of Kings reigns forever. Psalm 47 reminds us that God is seated on His holy throne, not subject to term limits, elections, or the tides of human opinion. His authority is not swayed by polls or politics, greed or money. He reigns in righteousness and truth, and His rule brings lasting peace, justice, and joy, something no human government has ever fully achieved. He is the greatest and He is what makes life great.
As the weekend fades, let’s enjoy the blessings around us: the sizzle of the grill, the laughter of loved ones, the wonder of creation. These gifts are reminders of the goodness of the One who made them. We can be content not because everything in our country is good or the world is perfect, but because the One who holds the world is perfectly trustworthy. So let us sing praises, join hands, not just for a country, but for a King who is good, whose reign is eternal, whose authority never fades. Rest in that today. United in the body of Christ who tells us, to love our God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Doing this tells the world who our King is and who we trust.
Almighty and Holy God, as the sun rises on this first Sunday after Independence Day, we come before You with grateful hearts. We thank You for the blessings of freedom, for the beauty of this land, and for the opportunity to gather in peace to worship You, the One true King whose reign is eternal. What a blessing it is to be able to do simple things with those we care about. Lord God, we lift our nation to You. We pray for our President, our Governor and all elected officials across this country. May they seek Your wisdom above all else. Give them discernment, humility, and courage to lead with justice and compassion. Remind them, and remind us, that authority is a stewardship, one that is best exercised when guided by Your truth.
Almighty God, we pray for those who serve and protect us, our military, our police officers, our firefighters, first responders, and all medical personnel. Bless them with strength for the task, peace in the storm, and protection in all they do. May their service be honored, and may they know that they are not forgotten. We pray for the families that are often behind the scenes supporting these people. We lift up our families, our own, and those of this beloved church family here at EOCC. Strengthen marriages, restore what is broken, and fill every household with Your presence. May our homes be places of prayer, of kindness, of truth, and of grace.
Let Your Word, O Lord, dwell richly among us. May it guide every decision, inspire every act of love, and remain ever at the forefront of our hearts and minds. We pray for peace in the many war-torn corners of this world. Lord, break down walls of hatred, heal wounds of division, and shine Your light into places where darkness still reigns.
We especially pray today for Joy Faith as she prepares to move to the Carolinas. Go before her, Lord. Bless this new beginning. Surround her with Your peace and let her know she is never far from the love and prayers of her EOCC family. And we remember today those we no longer see among us, for reasons we may not fully understand, but You do. Wrap them in Your mercy. Wherever they are, remind them they are loved, missed, and always welcome in Your arms and here.
Father, let the love we show today, and every day, be a living testimony that carries many through difficult times. Let our worship be sincere, our fellowship deep, and our faith unshaken. You are our God, and in You, we place all our hope. Lord, finally we pray for the upcoming Vacation Bible School happening. We pray for teachings and those helping, and we pray for each child that chooses to come and grow with us in Your love. Let our minds be cleared of the daily world and focus entirely on showing the love we know in You. We pray all this in the mighty, gentle name of Jesus Christ, Amen.