This Week's Episode
Bârak is the seventh of nine episodes in this series on worship; it means to kneel, salute, or thank. To Bârak is to come and bless God with an act of adoration; the idea being to bow down before Him. This physical position is a very powerful one. To bow before God reminds me that He is God and I am not. He is the one who created me, originally from the dirt. It is an honor and a privilege to Bârak in the presence of my creator; the One who is so faithful and blesses us so richly.
Speaking of rich blessings, as mentioned last week, we are now in Tempe, Arizona for the 1st Phorm Legends Championship. It feels like such an enormous blessing to be here, in a cute little house together, with our mom, dad, sister, and coach. To have family here, cheering you on, is super fun! We also have several other friends here from Vancouver Island, two of whom are also competing; just feeling an immense sense of gratitude for the community we find ourselves in. Great times and great people doing fun things together.
It is our hope and prayer for you this Christmas season, that you find yourself in the midst of a wonderful group of people. If you don’t feel like that is you right now, we ask God to bring others into your life; people that will be a source of strength and encouragement, inspiration and hope.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about this series. Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also join the community of listeners. Thank you for being here!
Blessings!
Blessing you to grow in your journey of praise; seeing God for who He truly is!
This Week's Podcast
In our seventh episode of the series on worship, we meditate on the word Bârak, a powerful position of honor and adoration before God. When we read scripture such as “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name”, do you ever stop to wonder what it looks like for “all that is within you” to bless the Lord? One of the most prominent images that comes to mind for us is the act of bowing low in humility, respect, awe, and wonder. To posture ourselves in such a way is, by our understanding, to Bârak.
May you find yourself entering a whole new space of worship this week, as you bow before the One who pardons all your iniquities, heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; satisfying your years with good things.
Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Enter His gates with [a]thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your [a]years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Reflection Questions
The idea of bowing before the Lord, what does that stir up in you? Is that something you want to lean into or lean away from. Ask God to show you where your response is coming from and what He has for you. What does He want to invite you into through this physical expression of praise?
A Daily Declaration
I Bârak before the Lord God Almighty, the one who formed me from the dust of the Earth.
