Scripture Reading: Psalms 66 - 68 …
Incredibly, the Psalms reveal truth that is
explained in its fullness only after the death, resurrection and ascension of
Jesus Christ. Written some one thousand years prior, the same Spirit of
God who inspired the writers of all of Scripture inspired the writers of the
Psalms to write down truth for all generations to hear, to consider and to
believe. Many of the Psalms, as with these three, speak of praising God,
of shouting with joy before Him, of singing the glory of His Name! "Make
His praise glorious!!" (66:1).
But WHY? Certainly, because of who He is and
because of what He has done. David lists a number of things in Psalm 66.
"Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's
behalf" (66:5). Then he refers to crossing the Red Sea (verse 6)
and declares, "He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from
slipping" (66:9). God tested them (refined them through
trials) … "we went through fire and water, BUT You brought us to a
place of abundance" (66:12). So many reasons to praise God!
Yet so many people choose to focus on their trials
and struggles. Instead of declaring
their faith in spite of their circumstances, they seem to forget who God is and
what He has promised for those who come humbly before Him, seeking His
forgiveness and resting in His love.
They lose their hope because they take their eyes off of Jesus! Trusting God is truly easy when you know His
love in Christ and believe His Spirit lives within you.
Those who know God hate sin and desire to turn from
it. David writes, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord
would not have listened; BUT God has surely listened and heard my voice in
prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His
love from me" (66:17-20). Isn't the love of God marvelous?!
Only those who know His promise of a Savior and who trust in Him
experience the blessing of knowing we are loved. We don't have to ride
the roller coaster of emotions involved in questioning God's love every time we
are tested or tried, every time we face trials or suffering of any kind.
We KNOW that God is faithful and that He IS with us!
David writes, "I will come to Your temple
with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to You - vows my lips promised and my
mouth spoke when I was in trouble" (66:13-14). Some people
"make deals" with God when they're in trouble, then quickly forget
them. God uses trials to tear people away from placing their trust in the
things of the world. It is of no value to make vows you have no intention
of keeping. God wants your HEART, not just some half-hearted outward
obedience. And the only way you will give Him your heart is if you come
to Him in faith, believing His promises and living to tell others.
In Psalm 67 we discover the purpose of all our
praise: "that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation
among all nations" (67:2). God desires that the nations praise
HIM! "Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God,
will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear
Him" (67:6-7). God desires that His Name be praised for HE IS worthy!!
Think of this: ALL of His and our enemies
will flee before Him. There are those who have received God's favor, His
grace; and there are those who are His enemies. The prevailing idea in
religious circles today that ALL religions and all the "gods" of the
various religions are the same is a LIE from Satan himself, intended to deceive
people into believing in the false gods dreamed up by the whims of men.
THIS God is God alone. "The chariots
of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands!" (68:17).
Yet, in all of this, the number ONE reason to praise God, for those who
know Him and who draw near to Him through faith in Jesus, is this: "Our
God is a God who saves: from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from
DEATH!" (68:20). No other God can save from death! Why?
Because without Jesus our sins have earned us only God's just judgment.
Again, it is so very simple. Every other religion either overlooks
sin or believes we can make up for it by some religious duties or activities. ONLY
Christianity offers forgiveness to those who receive the suffering and death of
Jesus on the cross as their payment for sin. "It is by grace you
have been saved, through faith!" (Ephesians 2:8).
The Psalms call GOD's people to praise Him … no one
else can … or will! Oh, they will praise
"god" - whoever they believe him, her, it to be. But they will
NOT praise the Sovereign LORD who saves us from eternal death and judgment.
They refuse to humble themselves before His majesty and acknowledge that
He ALONE is God! The people of God declare, "YOU are awesome, O
God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His
people. Praise be to God!" (68:35).
If you are one of HIS people, you WILL praise God!
You can't help yourself. If you find praising God difficult, ask
yourself, "Why?" Do you know Him? Have you put
your trust in Him? Do you believe He HAS SAVED you from death? Or
are you still questioning God’s wisdom, love and power? The believer will
say, "I am going through some difficult trials, BUT I know my God is
with me." "It feels like I'm alone to face the giants, BUT I
know God will help me get through this." "I don't understand
what is going on in my life right now, BUT I trust God's wisdom and
grace." "I have sinned and I deserve God's punishment, BUT I
know I am forgiven and that I HAVE eternal life."
I pray that YOU know the number one reason to
praise God: because He is the God who saves and who provides the only
escape from death! JESUS is the answer and even David and those who lived
by faith before Jesus was even born knew that God would keep His promises and
would send the Savior. The Savior has come and all who believe in Him are
NOW the people of God! As He delivered His people in the past, so He WILL
deliver US! For He is OUR God!!
"O LORD God Almighty, Your love and goodness
to Your people is without measure and Your faithfulness endures through all
generations. In this day renew Your work among us that we may stand firm
in Your truth and praise You in the midst of the storm. May Your ways be
known on the earth so that all the peoples may praise only YOU, our God! Thank
You for moving MY heart to sing Your praises, now and forever. In Jesus'
name, Amen"
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