Readings for today: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4, John 8:21-30, Psalms 111, Proverbs 15:11
The best things about the Psalms is how they teach us to sing the character of God. To praise God for who He is and what He has done. To reflect on God’s nature and being. Over and over again, they declare His righteousness. His faithfulness. His steadfast love. Over and over again, they declare His justice. His holiness. His splendor and majesty. Over and over again, they declare His mercy. His grace. His compassion and forgiveness. If were lost on some deserted island somewhere and I had to pick one book of the Bible to bring with me, it would be the Psalms.
Praying the Psalms is a wonderful exercise. I don’t know about you but sometimes I struggle to pray. I struggle to find the right words to express my emotions. Struggle to give myself permission to be honest and real and authentic before the Lord. I struggle to pray in faith, trusting God’s character. This is where the Psalms come in. I can pray these words rather than my own. I let the Psalmist guide me deeper into the heart of prayer. I find myself praising. Lamenting. Expressing every emotion imaginable. I find myself thanking God. Remembering all His mighty works and miracles. Praying these words restores my soul. Helps me find my way back to faith again.
Romans 4:21 defines faith as “being fully convinced God is able to what He has promised.” Praying with such confidence is rich and powerful. And one can only do that if one is fully convinced God is who He says He is. The Psalms keep God fully in view. They fix our eyes on Him. The focus our hearts on His character and nature and being. They remind us of all His glorious attributes and this, in turn, leads us to pray with greater faith.
Why do we praise God? Why do we give thanks to Him with our whole hearts? Because He is great. “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” Splendid and majestic. “Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.” Gracious and merciful. “He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” He is our faithful provider. “He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” He is trustworthy and true. “He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” Holy and awesome. “He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!” (Psalms 111:1-9)
Because God is all these things and so much more, we fear Him. We reverence Him. We worship Him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalms 111:10) Let everything you do today - in word or deed - be an act of worship to the Living God!
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalms 112, Proverbs 15:12-14