God Speaks
Worship the LORD for He Created and Sustains Everything That Exists
Verse of the Day: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. (Psalm 95:6-7 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 142
We Respond
Reflection
Psalm 95 begins with praise to our great God and King. It continues in humble submission; however, it ends with God’s pronouncement of the consequences of His people’s disobedience.
Psalm 97 focuses on the power, majesty, and awesomeness of the LORD. He is surrounded by righteousness and justice. Mighty storm clouds, raging fire, flashes of lightning, towering mountains, and all the far-flung galaxies must submit to Him. Every so-called god or idol must bow before Him. Every megalopolis, metropolis, city, village, and people group will one day submit to the sovereignty of the LORD God. All the godly will praise His holy name.
Psalm 98 urges worshipers, including all of creation, to break out in songs of joy over the LORD’s faithfulness and righteous, equitable judgments.
Psalm 99 focuses on the LORD God’s just, fair, and righteousness rule over all the nations. He rules as the mighty King, lover of justice and righteousness. He answers the prayers of His faithful servants. He is a forgiving God, but He punishes them when they go wrong. The good news is that a person who claims Jesus’ atoning death on the cross can go free to live in His righteousness.
Prayer: Dear LORD God of justice, You know who the evil ones are, and You know how You plan to deal with them. You also know who is truly repentant. By Your grace, mercy, and unfailing love, turn our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies back to You. Teach and train me to love You with all of my heart and soul and mind and strength. Help me to trust You to deal with the wicked. Only You truly know who deserves Your vengeance. Defend, O God, Your people, the innocent and the defenseless. Especially, O LORD, bring vengeance upon those who do evil in Your name. You, LORD, are a great God, the great King above all gods. I will sing praises to Your name and thank You for all that You have done for me. You deserve my humble submission and obedience. You are justified in assigning consequences for my disobedience. May my soul find rest in You. I sing unto You, O my loving Heavenly Father. I love to sing Your praises (however off key I may be). Help me to open my mouth and tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. You are great and worthy of all the praise I can give. Nothing compares to You. After all, You made the universe and everything in it. You are surrounded by honor and majesty. You exude beauty and strength. All the nations should recognize and glorify You. Everything that exists must all give You the glory You deserve. Only our very lives and existence would qualify as a proper offering to You, O God Most High. The day is coming (may it be soon) when You will come to dwell on the earth and judge it. You will bring Your truth and justice to all the nations and everything You have created. Your power and might are extremely great. You are sovereign over everything that exists. All cities, towns, villages, and people must acknowledge Your supremacy, for You made it all. You will protect and rescue from the wicked all those who love You and hate evil. Let Your light shine on the godly and Your joy fill those whose hearts are right with You (myself included). Dear victorious God, thank You for the victory that the Lord Jesus won for me by His death and resurrection. These deeds leave me in awe-struck wonder. Please help me and others of Your people to pour out our lives on behalf of Your kingdom as Jesus did. Help us to announce His victory and reveal His righteousness to every nation and people group! May we make a joyful symphony before You, Our LORD and King! When Christ Jesus returns to the earth, He will judge the world with justice and the nations with fairness, and all His saints will join Him. He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. O LORD our God, You are a forgiving God, but You punish those who refuse to repent and follow Christ. Give us hearts that trust and obey You. For Your glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will view photos from the Webb space telescope and ponder and praise the vastness of the God who made it all.
- I will join with other godly people to rejoice in the LORD and praise His holy name.
- I will investigate how I can support or encourage someone who is using their talents in music to serve the LORD.
- I will take a walk and praise God for everything I see.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.