This is the day . . .

 

 

READ Psalm 96–100

Last night’s Bible study with our ‘home group’ was filled with stories of answered prayer and praise for God’s faithfulness to us, His undeserving people yet blessed beyond our imagination. We talked of how faith produces action, yet our actions are nothing compared to the workings of God in our midst. For that reason, this morning my heart is filled with praise, even though I realize God is to be praised even when it seems He is silent and does not reveal what He is doing to us.

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. (Psalm 96:1–2)

This deep joy is in my heart. Even though there are grave issues and problems in our world, I know that the Lord is sovereign and will do what is right . . .

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:11–13)

Again, today I just want to sing and shout and encourage others to do the same . . . for all creation knows that our God is not only worthy of all praise even now, and some day He will make all things right . . .

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97:9)

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations . . . Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98: 1–2; 4–9)

No matter the sinfulness of man, we can lift up the Lord and worship Him: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!” (Psalm 99:9)

For these reasons and more, my heart intends to make this a day of praise. I’m not much of a singer, yet I can still do this because He created me and I am His and because He has made Himself known to me in salvation and in serving Him — even as I go about the daily activities of life with a heart filled with thanksgiving . . .

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:1–5)