“Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His Name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:1-3
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is the second in a series of upbeat psalms encouraging the praise of God. In these introductory verses the psalmist is moved to encourage such praise and glorifying of God by three things – God’s salvation, His glory, and His marvelous works. All of these blessings of God are for all people and benefit all the earth – therefore all of creation and every human being should render such praise to God and worship Him. It is a dismal thought, to consider the vast energy expended by the billions of people each day and the relatively small amount of praise given to God. The whole world should be filled with His praise, filled with thanksgiving to God, filled with humble repentance, joy in God’s salvation, reverence for God, and respect and love in human relationships. Obviously there is precious little of this.
We too struggle to grasp the glory of God and to rejoice in His salvation. Why should it be so difficult for us to simply receive the reality of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus, His gracious gift to us of His Son, our Savior? There are numerous religions that still teach that “salvation” is something that we must do something to attain – that it is somehow based in human performance. If so, how then is it “His salvation”? If it depends upon us, and we must somehow “attain” it by some acts, deeds, works, or performance, then it must be “our” salvation – what we do. Such is not the message of Holy Scripture, the Bible! But even within the church there is a “conditional” edge that is often subtly included in the message preached and taught, an implication that we must still do something to be saved. And many Christians still deal with one another on the basis of “performance,” conditional love, and not in forgiveness, mercy, compassion, grace, and true love.
Once a person grasps God’s salvation, the glory of His gracious and merciful love, and how marvelous His works of love and kindness are that fill each day on earth, one is compelled to “sing to the LORD” and “bless His Name”! That there is so little praise of God is not because of His performance – His works are marvelously filled with love for us. Rather, the lack of praise is the result of the insidious sin at work in our fallen nature, so that we neither recognize nor truly desire God’s salvation, His love, His providence, His reign. This is truly pitiful and wretched! And there is no one to blame for this but us – we who struggle to truly receive and embrace His gift of salvation in Jesus, our Savior. What a waste! It is rather astonishing that the psalmist, living nearly 3,000 years ago, had a keen grasp and understanding of God, His love, and His works, while we, who are so well educated, civilized, and advanced, continue to struggle to comprehend and appropriate His gracious love and salvation.
If we who are “Christians” fail to understand and to root ourselves in God’s love and salvation – so that we cannot help but sing God’s praise and bless His Name, how will anyone else learn of Him? If we act as if our understanding of God, and our relationship with God, is no different than that of the other religions – performance based, how will anyone else know the difference? If we remain oblivious to or uncertain about God’s gracious love and salvation in Christ Jesus, are we not still in the Dark Ages of Christianity? We expend a great deal of time lamenting the rampant immorality in our culture, making sure that everyone knows that we are on the side of morality, and so little time repenting our own sin, confessing our guilt, and rejoicing in God’s salvation. Yet, it is God’s love in Christ that is the light of the world and the life of man! [John 1:4-9]
Let us resolve then to join the psalmist – both in faith and worship of God! It is no sin or weakness to center our thoughts and prayers on the gracious mercy and love of God, His free and gracious gift of salvation in Christ Jesus, and His daily ongoing works of love and compassion! It is no sign of weakness or resignation to sing His praises and bless His Name and declare His glory! Rather, it is the height of wisdom and goodness for human beings!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, our dear Savior and Lord, thanks and praise be to You for the salvation You have provided for us in Your marvelous works! Thanks and praise be to You for personifying the glory of God’s love! Thanks and praise be to You for Your blessings, love, providence, power, and protection that You provide for us every moment of every day! Grant that our hearts and minds be directed into Your love, for our own great peace and joy, and to the glory and praise of Your Name. Amen.