Ever since discovering that the prayer in some forms of the Anglican communion service, commencing with the words of the title, was David’s thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 29.11) for the gifts which would enable the Temple to be built, I have felt drawn to wanting to use it as a framework for a meditation. It has taken a long time to come to fruition - but here it is. I hope it will prove helpful to some of you who are kind enough to read this blog.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.*
Your realm, Lord, is the realm of glory; the realm where Archangels, Angels, Apostles – both women and men, Martyrs, Saints and the souls of all the faithful give you ceaseless praise.
From that eternal home, long ages before it was peopled, in your deep, deep Wisdom, you conceived the inspiration of a nurturing universe.
Then, at your Word, fundamental forces and streams of particles emerged to form an initially turbulent cosmic existence; time and space sprang into being.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.
With the passing of the ages, turbulence diminished and shape and form grew into the universe we are privileged to be able to observe with contemporary equipment.
Suns, planets, moons and asteroids emerged out of primeval dust and gases to form myriads of communities of galaxies.
Around some planets, our exquisite earth being one, atmospheres, stratospheres and magnetospheres sprang up, protecting and enriching the environments of their hosts.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.
Elements coalesced and on earth some combined to give rise to the possibility of life.
Life emerged and by amazing paths of evolution took diverse shapes and forms, some of which survived catastrophic extinctions and grew into innumerable species of creatures.
As humans evolved from early ancestors, brains developed within us, eventually enabling us to bear witness to the glory of the universe and this planet’s wonderful ability to sustain life.
May we grow in our longing to be good stewards of this shared home – yours and ours.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you
With intellect and understanding came also the seeds of evil and at a time and place of your choosing, you, Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made, took human form and came among us to redeem us by your cross and resurrection.
Our home became a planet of your visitation and we beheld your glory.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.
And in the last days, when heaven and earth will become as one, you Lord will be there to welcome all your faithful into that realm of glory, love, justice and peace.
May we be there with them, singing among our songs of praise this remembrance of the thanksgiving of David, King and prophet.
‘Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory; for everything in heaven and the entire universe is yours, and of your own do we give you.’ AMEN
* adapted from 1Chronicles 29.11
© Trevor Thorn 2019