On My Mind...
The first question of the Westminster Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?†The answer, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.†The apostle Paul calls on the believers in Corinth to glorify God in all that they do. Repeatedly in the Scripture we are called upon to give praise, glory and honor to our God. This is at the heart of worship. Worship is our natural response to the greatness of our God. When we see God for who he is – we worship. We don’t have to be dragged into it. We do not have to be “baited†– our hearts explode in worship. It’s the way we are made. I’m one of those reserved types. Rheadon gets really frustrated with me at ball games. I don’t jump up and down. I don’t shout and cheer. I stubbornly refuse to do what cheerleaders tell me to do. But when something exciting happens on the floor, someone makes a great shot or a great defensive play, I can’t help myself. Without a thought I’m on my feet and cheering! Greatness must be praised. That is why, when confronted by the religious leaders about all the shouting and carrying on, Jesus said, “If they do not praise me – the very rocks would cry out.†Jesus was saying, “I will be praised because of who I am.â€
That is why Isaac Watts wrote in the second stanza of Marching to Zion, “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God, but children of the heavenly King…may speak their joys abroad!†Our faith is a singing faith and it always has been. God’s people are a singing people. And we have ample reason to sing. Psalm 66 is a call to praise. The psalmist calls on the whole earth to praise God (1-7); he then calls on the people of God to praise Him (8-15); and concludes by calling individuals to praise Him (16-20). Throughout he gives ample reason to praise Him. The other thing that is interesting is that as he moves from the whole earth to the people of God to the individual the praise intensifies. The whole earth can praise God for the beauty and wonder of creation and His general benevolence but only His people can tell of the greatness of His deliverance. Only those who were dead in trespass and sin can sing of the sweetness of life eternal and abundant. The climax comes why I declare the wonder of His love and grace to me personally. My prayer heard. My sins forgiven. His abiding presence with me. Reminding us that praise is both corporate and private. It is communal and personal.
Psalm 66 is about our declaring God’s praise. Speaking forth the truth of God, His mercy, His power and His grace. But I would just remind you, praise is more than speaking. It is more than singing. It is the whole of life lived for His glory.
That’s just what was on my mind this morning. Have a blessed week and I will see you Sunday as we begin a new series from the book of Ezra.
Rod
That is why Isaac Watts wrote in the second stanza of Marching to Zion, “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God, but children of the heavenly King…may speak their joys abroad!†Our faith is a singing faith and it always has been. God’s people are a singing people. And we have ample reason to sing. Psalm 66 is a call to praise. The psalmist calls on the whole earth to praise God (1-7); he then calls on the people of God to praise Him (8-15); and concludes by calling individuals to praise Him (16-20). Throughout he gives ample reason to praise Him. The other thing that is interesting is that as he moves from the whole earth to the people of God to the individual the praise intensifies. The whole earth can praise God for the beauty and wonder of creation and His general benevolence but only His people can tell of the greatness of His deliverance. Only those who were dead in trespass and sin can sing of the sweetness of life eternal and abundant. The climax comes why I declare the wonder of His love and grace to me personally. My prayer heard. My sins forgiven. His abiding presence with me. Reminding us that praise is both corporate and private. It is communal and personal.
Psalm 66 is about our declaring God’s praise. Speaking forth the truth of God, His mercy, His power and His grace. But I would just remind you, praise is more than speaking. It is more than singing. It is the whole of life lived for His glory.
That’s just what was on my mind this morning. Have a blessed week and I will see you Sunday as we begin a new series from the book of Ezra.
Rod