The Cape Town Camerata sing “Bless the Lord My Soul” from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. “Bless the Lord, my soul. Lord God, how great you are!” As you begin to pray today, pause and acknowledge the greatness of God, who created you and everything around you, the earth, the moon and the stars, who makes springs gush forth in the valleys and grass grow for the cattle. And place yourself in the hands of that great and wonderful God.

Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda, blagosloven esi, Gospodi.

Gospodi Bozhe moy, vozvelichilsya esi zelo.

Blagosloven esi, Gospodi.

Vo ispovedaniye i v velelepotu obleklsya esi.

Blagosloven esi, Gospodi.

Na gorakh stanut vody. Divna dela Tvoya, Gospodi.

Posrede gor proydut vody. Divna dela Tvoya, Gospodi

Vsya premudristiyu sotvoril esi.

Slava Ti, Gospodi, sotvorivshemu vsya.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, blessed art thou, O Lord.

O Lord my God, thou art very great.

Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Blessed art thou, O Lord.

The waters stand upon the mountains.

Marvellous are thy works, O Lord.

In wisdom hast thou made all things.

Glory to thee, O Lord, who hast created all.

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Daniel.

Daniel 3:62-67

Bless the Lord, sun and moon;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, stars of heaven;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

‘Bless the Lord, all rain and dew;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, all you winds;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, fire and heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Today’s reading forms part of a song. It’s the song of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, from deep within the furnace of fire, ordered to be thrown there by King Nebuchadnezzar. Their crime: worshipping God rather than a golden statue.

Picture the scene. Let it speak powerfully to you. What is your reaction?

Notice that the men include the elements of fire and water in their song of joy and thanksgiving.

We read in the same chapter that ‘the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with Abednego and his companions, and drove the fiery flame out of the furnace, and made the inside of the furnace as though a moist wind were whistling through it. The fire did not touch them at all and caused them no pain or distress.’

Consider the great rescue of God in these faithful men’s lives.

Listen to the passage again. Where do you long to see God’s rescue today?

Daniel 3:62-67

Bless the Lord, sun and moon;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, stars of heaven;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

‘Bless the Lord, all rain and dew;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, all you winds;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, fire and heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat;

sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever.

Speak with God, the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. You might want simply to sit in awe. You might bring to God the persecuted church today. Ask for it to be close to your heart in prayer.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen