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Psalm 100
By Irene Pierce

Psalm 100 is used regularly in devotionals and other settings because it strengthens our faith. In all things and in all places, when the words are read, we are reminded to give praise and thanksgiving to the one who created us and who will be with us for eternity.

The Psalmist tells us that we are precious to God and that God will take care of us. This is our blessed assurance.

In a world where there are so many needs, God has a way of sending servants to share his love. Everyone who volunteers in areas of need is certainly sharing God?s love. We are called to be servants and this Psalm helps to ground us in our efforts to make the world a better place as we remember who we are and whose we are.

On a recent Volunteers in Mission trip to Ghana with the Rev. Victor Sawyer and Lynn Kim, I met a retired dental hygienist from California. She was a widow. After much prayer and the support of her family, church and friends, God had directed her to this service. She was excited about her journey to join the volunteers on the Mercy Ships.

So here she was, alone, and coming to live on the Mercy Ship Anastasis with 380 other volunteers for several months. We were there to lead seminars on leadership and evangelism, with shoes, school supplies, and other items to share with the people of the Church of Ghana. We would return home in two weeks.

The Anastasis is the largest of a fleet of three Mercy ships. These ships are staffed by volunteers who step out of the ordinary to launch a current for good in an ocean of need.

They host individuals who believe God loves the world enough to use ships and people, materials and money, time and effort, to bring hope and healing. The crews and staff are multinational and bring first-class medical assistance and long-term sustainable development to some of the world?s poorest regions.

The ship had come from Liberia to serve Ghana. The doctors provided specialized care such as plastic surgery, the removal of facial tumors and other medical procedures to the referred patients. The volunteers also did projects off the ship, such as building schools, conducting women?s empowerment seminars, and conducting training in HIV/AIDS.

We experienced God?s love and care in all the things we did and all the places we served. We and the volunteers on the Mercy Ships, and all the lives we touched, are indeed strengthened by the words of this Scripture.

This psalm speaks to all of God?s children and tells us to remember God?s goodness and dependability, and then to worship God with thanksgiving and praise.

The Rev. Irene C. Pierce is a retired pastor. She is a member of Asbury UMC in Washington.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure

Celebrate: Invite a child to share a 'joyful noise' in a worship service or a family gathering. For example, ask a child to play an instrument, to sing or to pray, and be sure to invite them to do so as an offering to God.

Connect: Talk with a young people in your congregation and ask how they experience God in all things and all places.

Develop: Memorize Psalm 100. Then, write a poem or essay based on the verbs. Write the verb and then a sentence or more on what that word means to you, especially related to praise.

Share: Find at least three opportunities in the next three days to share with someone you meet: 'I am so thankful! God has blessed me by _______________'