Daily Devotion of Psalm 66

Daily Nugget:
Too many Christians are not the examples they need to be. They go through life unhappy, complaining, and defeated. The world sees this and sees little difference between Christ-believers and those that do not claim to be His disciples.

Believers are on the winning side. We may have difficulties and trials as do the lost, but we have hope. We should be grateful and show it with a joyful spirit and be living evidence for a wonderful and working-in-lives God.

It should be our goal to have the world see our grateful testimony of God’s goodness in our life. Even if we do not have a good singing voice, it will give God the glory and more attention to Him if on-lookers heard us sing or hum hymns as we go about our day (Psalm 66:1-2). They need to know our minds are on Christ every day, not just on Sunday.

They would have a better opinion of Christians if they overheard us giving praise for something God has done in our life. Those around us need to see and know that we have a relationship with the Lord. If they do not hear us praising and giving Him credit for what He is doing, how will they know of His graciousness and his constant working in lives?
“To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. and faith in Him.” Psalm 66:1-2

The world needs to learn from us that God is:

• All-powerful, and violation of His commandments can come with fearsome consequences (Psalm 66:3, 18). There is a wage for sin!
• To be worshipped by all (vs. 4).
• Responsible for all that is on His earthly creation (vs. 5).
• Responsible for doing the “impossible” to protect His own (vs. 6).
• In control and aware of what is happening on this Earth (vs. 7). We may not understand all that is allowed or is happening, but God allows it for His purpose.
• Responsible for every breath we take and for our constant protection (vs. 9).
• Trying and testing us to make us better and more valuable to Him (vs. 10-12).

Our testimony to non-believers may be the only thing they see about living a Christ-like life (vss. 13-15) and what He will do in one’s life. Often, we are the only “bible” they will read, as, unless they are motivated, they may never open and read the Word of God themselves.

Is your life a living testament to a living, loving God (vss. 16-17, 19-20)? Do others learn about Him and see Him working in your life by your consistent praising Him for His goodness?

Today’s Thought: 
Without asking you, would those you encounter know you are a Christian by your articulation, actions, and attitude? — B.B.

Words to Understand:
Terrible: Causing fear, dread or terror

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 66
1 To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.and faith in Him.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 ¶ O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
13 ¶ I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.