Today's Scripture:

Psalm 19 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
This passage is literally titled, “For the music director. A Psalm of David.” David describes how the heavens, the day and the night are made to worship God. He also says the law of the Lord is perfect, “restoring the soul.” He goes onto describe the perfections and beauty of God’s commandments, judgements and how these things keep us safe. He says that they are more precious than gold, sweeter than honey. He asks for forgiveness in the ways he may have failed and prays that his prayers would be heard as a blessing to God’s ears.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
Ever since I was a child I enjoyed being a reason for joy and happiness in people’s lives. Sometimes that was inherent and sometimes I felt like I had to operate that way. As a child I attended a church that believed you could lose your salvation. I would spend most days worried about not sinning enough to get into heaven. I look back on that child and I just want to hug her! I want to tell those adults that were teaching me to tell little Ivy that God gave us these rules to keep us safe because he loves us so very much that he wants to be with us in every aspect of our lives. If we will just focus on Him, we can have a little bit of heaven on earth because we were made to worship Him in everything we say and do. Luckily all this translated to a healthier faith in my adulthood and a practiced joy that has become natural (most of the time!)

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
I think now in my life and in the work I do at Grace, it’s so important to look at what the Bible tells us firstly about worship, and secondly about how to lead with love. God’s creations are living and breathing and attending our church body. This job of crafting worship experiences is not easy, and no living human can do a perfect job. Hopefully through prayer, study, and relationships, we can all worship together, respecting all our different paths to get to Grace, and enjoy one another as a community of believers. I want to build a worship service based on the scriptures while honoring where our people are in each phase of their lives. It’s my prayer that I can worship through all I say and do, not just in Sunday morning service. The rules are not a punishment to keep us away from God! They are to be honored, cherished and prayerfully lived out!

About Ivy Castle Simpson:
I am the mom to Sterling, stepmom to Billie, wife to Drake, dog mom to a teeny tiny Yorkie named Bella and a giant 9 month old golden retriever named Zadie. I have been working at Grace for...well quite a long time! I am the Director of Worship which is the sweetest, hardest, most challenging, fulfilling job I could possibly imagine. God has blessed me 1,000 fold for stepping into His will for my life!
I have worked in Children's Ministries for most of my time here at Grace, and just transitioned over to Director of Worship about a year and a half ago. I have spent 14 years here, it's been the best years of my life for sure!