Praise God

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 What Joy Awaits Those That Love You

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-4 (NLT)

1 What mighty praise, O God,

belongs to you in Zion.

We will fulfill our vows to you,

2 for you answer our prayers.

All of us must come to you.

3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,

you forgive them all.

4 What joy for those you choose to bring near,

those who live in your holy courts.

What festivities await us

inside your holy Temple.

 

Devotion:

            David, the author of this psalm praises God for His steadfast love and care. David urges all God’s people to praise God loudly and with great urgency. If David thought God was worthy of all praise a thousand years before Jesus, how much more should we be praising God two thousand years after Jesus’ earthly life. We have received the promised salvation that the Hebrews of David’s day could only dream about. If the Hebrews were urged to fulfil their vows to God, then how much more should we fulfil our vows to God today.

            God answered the prayer of his people in David’s day. So, today He is deserving of our praise. God loves to answer the prayers of His people. God can give freely of himself because no matter how much he gives he remains the same. Gifts can flow unendingly from the throne of God to satisfy the desires of the nations and God will be none the poorer for it. We know that God always hears our prayers. He answers all our prayers in his time and in his way. God’s steadfast love always amazes us.

            The next reason for praise that David writes about in this psalm is God’s forgiveness of our sins. God was able to forgive sins in David’s day before Christ had yet died for them. How much more then will God forgive us of our sins no matter how small or large after Jesus’ work on the cross for our salvation. It is in God’s nature to forgive sins. Even if our sins seem overwhelming at times God is faithful to forgive us our sins. Even if we have repented of a besetting sin a thousand times and been forgiven God is always willing to forgive us again.

            The gates of God’s great temple in heaven our open to all who know Him personally. Those who have loved Jesus and cared for their neighbors in need will be received. (Matthew 25) God’s grace will be freely bestowed upon all. God’s justice is perfect. All who have called upon the Lord will be saved and welcomed into his heavenly courts. What joy it will be to receive the welcoming gaze of our Lord and to hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.”

Prayer:

            Lord, we praise you today because you alone are worthy of all our praise. Keep us by your power, that we might live always to praise and worship you. Though our sins be many and severe save us by the blood of your Son Jesus. Lead us as we walk so that we may not trip and fall. Prepare a place for us with you in your Holy Temple that we might live for all eternity in your care. Amen.

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