I began wrestling with sleep at about 5 this morning. I was disturbed by some thoughts and I also felt a tug on my heart to get up and read the Word. So, because I am selfish and love sleep, I foolishly thought I could win that battle, but that wasn't going to happen. So, here I sit in my quite dark sleeping house eager to read your Word and it feels good to be up, which is strange because that is normally not the case. I am not a morning person, which is silly really because I should be full of joy and thanksgiving to God for giving me another day, but I have blinders on in the morning most of the time. So, I am here with my coffee wondering what to read and I was immediately drawn to the Psalms and I parked on Psalm 66.
I read it all the way through and was flooded with its application and simplicity and passion. The author is not listed so I don't know who wrote it, but it was obviously someone who got it, got who God is that day and I am so thankful that it is here this morning for me to read freely.
It's starts beautifully and appropriately with praising God as I should first when I come before Him and always really. It even says, and I love this direct simple command, "Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!" Then it rightfully moves to honoring His position, His ultimate authority in this universe by recognizing that everything bows down to Him and they sing praise to His name. And then the author is telling his audience like, come check it out for yourselves you guys - God is working for us, not against us. Look what He has done, not only in my life, but historically. And then the author reminds us of God's unending power and His watchful eyes on the nations and the author follows with a genuine, I think, like a thought aloud desire for people not to rebel against Him because he has seen it happen and it hurts his heart because he knows God and his love. Now I am reading into this of course, but it lines up with his message here really. Then the author continues with a reminder of His promises to us, to me, his audience so many years later, that it is "He who has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping." Amen to that and may I never forget it. How often can we attest to that. I would be so lost, so broken, so into this world if it weren't for my Savior's hand upon me at all times. I have heard so many testimonies to this. Man this guy gets it. Then, the author goes into specifics about what God did for him and his people and he is thankful for the hardships they went through and ultimately for God's faithfulness in pulling them out of it. So, what is his response to all this and what should ours be as well?? The author nails it and the passage turns to the 1st person because it is my responsibility and mine only to properly respond to my Lord. He says it beautifully and simply - I will sacrifice my best to You and I will fulfill what I said I was going to do. I will obey Your commands.
Lastly, the author concludes with two great messages...God listens and hears our prayers! and he humbly goes on to say, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected by prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Thanks God for this glimpse into who You are today. I must have needed to hear it. Your Word is amazing.
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