PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 66
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Let me tell you what he has done for me.” (Psalm 66:14)
I once heard a pastor lament all the Is and MEs in worship today.
His concern was that worship had become ‘all about me’, instead of God.
I can’t say where peoples hearts are when they express their worship.
But I do want to point out that even the Psalms are full of Is and MEs.
We are creation-bound, finite human beings, designed to know God personally.
As such, it is the I that relates to God personally, it is MY experience.
When we lose the Is and MEs, worship becomes impersonal, hollow.
At the same time, the Is and MEs need to relate to God and Jesus.
The reality of God and the wonder of Jesus have a real impact on our lives.
My concern is that we do not hear enough personal testimonies.
We sing second-hand worship songs, someone else’s response to God (which is fine).
But we also need the first-hand experiences and expressions of worship.
What has the Lord done for me, how do I experience God’s greatness and goodness?
Today’s reading invites ME to reflect on, and give expression to, how great God is to ME!
PRAYER
Lord, I see your goodness in my life in your amazing patience with me, as well as in how you use me despite my flaws to bless and serve others. Through all my struggles, you give me strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow. Great is your faithfulness… Lord unto ME!
The Psalmist shares a litany of reasons to praise and worship God: his actions/power, miraculous provision to Israel, and God preserving His people trough trial and misery and brings them to abundance.
Like the Psalmist, my gratitude means I act and bring gifts to bless others in the name of God, to offer my worship in song, word and deed and then to declare – to let me tell others of what God has done for me and how He has impacted my life! Looking back in my own life and I can testify to that! God has been there for me and I know He is today and will be tomorrow as well! Thanks be to God!
Entering the new year we do think back and count the ways that the Lord God has blessed us. The blessings received need to be shared. I need to not only see His blessing but also talk about His blessings in my life, praising Him form Whom all blessings flow. As Adam walked and talked in the garden with God I need to do that – walking and talking with God in His Kingdom today and every day. Praise Him.
All of my life, I will praise the living God,
My heart full of joy,
I will bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And never forget his gifts.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He pardons all our sins.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He saves us from all harm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He fills our life with good.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He keeps us ever young.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His mercy never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His kindness never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His promises he keeps.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He died to bring us life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He is the Bread of Life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
In him we find all love.