August 7, 2025
TaeHun Yoon
[PREPARATIO – Sacred Silence]
WanHee is finally home. With a joyful heart, I returned to my woodworking today and labored with sweat for two and a half hours in the late afternoon. The raw wood is now ready—waiting for the painter’s touch.
Now I sit in my chair. I quiet myself.
I prepare my spirit to listen to God’s Word.
“Come, Divine Interpreter” by Charles Wesley (1762):
Come, divine Interpreter,
Bring me eyes thy Book to read,
Ears the mystic words to hear,
Words which did from Thee proceed—
Words that endless bliss impart,
Kept in an obedient heart.All who read or hear are blessed,
If Thy plain commands we do;
Of Thy kingdom here possessed,
Thee we shall in glory view—
When Thou comest on earth to abide,
Reign triumphant at Thy side.
[LECTIO – Reading the Word]
I slowly read Psalm 96:1–13—first silently, then aloud. I read from the Common English Bible and other versions.
Certain verses rise up and stir my soul:
- “Sing to the Lord a new song!”
- “Share the news of his saving work every single day!”
- “Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”
- “Let the heavens celebrate! Let the earth rejoice!”
- “Then all the trees of the forest will shout joyfully before the Lord because he is coming—to establish justice on the earth!”
Yes, yes, yes!
Sing to God! Worship the Holy One!
Shout the news of His victory!
The gods of the nations are nothing but shadows and scraps—tatters and rags.
But the Lord is coming to set all things right,
to treat every person with fairness.
“Bless His name!” (Heb. בָּרְכוּ – barekhu)
Praise Him with grateful offerings.
“Proclaim His salvation!” (Heb. בַּשְּׂרוּ – basseru)
Bear witness—tell the story of how God has saved me.
His glory fills the sanctuary.
His radiant beauty adorns His presence.
[MEDITATIO – Meditating on the Word]
I imagine the joy of the Israelites when they saw the New Temple rebuilt after the exile.
They wept and rejoiced—both Israelites and Gentiles (Heb. לַחֲצֵרוֹתָיו – leḥaẓerotav).
They offered not just rituals, but their sanctified lives.
This is the “new song”—
a rhythm that arises with fresh drumbeats,
a melody rising anew each day.
A praise that shines in daily life.
A light that spreads through the community.
[ORATIO – Prayerful Response]
I remembered the tragic story of Hitler’s army playing music as Jewish people walked toward death.
How can music exist there?
That is not a “new song.”
That is evil wrapped in sound.
I feel the darkness of war still lingers around us.
Schemes of destruction still whisper.
And yet—
The psalmist shouts: “Sing to the Lord a new song!”
From Paul’s heart to the Roman church comes this word of renewal:
“So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God.
This is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform to the patterns of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
(Romans 12:1–2)
[CONTEMPLATIO – Resting in God’s Presence]
I pause.
I breathe deeply.
I enter silence again.
I see myself by the lake at Anderson County Park in Tennessee—my favorite place to camp.
WanHee walks with the dogs.
I sit alone.
Suddenly, images flood my heart:
Exploding volcanoes. Shaking earth.
And then—
a bird glides peacefully over the lake.
Chaos and peace.
Noise and silence.
Judgment and grace.
God is present in all.
[INCARNATIO – Living the Word]
“Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”
These two are not opposites.
They dance together.
All the wars and violence
will return to dust.
The tides will cleanse the shore again
with quiet, mysterious waves.
All human-made walls and towers
will be leveled.
Back to the beginning.
There will be a new song.
Not Likeness, but Love
Not to love by sameness,
but by difference—
and still, through the years,
grow into the other.
He,
becoming gentler,
rising in grace,
yet holding the strength
to wrestle with the world.
She,
gaining breath of mind,
expanding thought,
yet never losing
the care that cradles life—
nor the wonder
in a wide and childlike heart.
[ORATOTIO – Final Song]
“Thy Word Is a Lamp” by Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith (1984)
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me.And nothing will I fear
As long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.
Daily Sauntering 