[8] Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples. [9] Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works. [10] Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. [11] Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. [12] Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, [13] you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. [14] He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth. [15] Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, [16] the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac. [17] He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, [18] saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,” [19] when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it. [20] They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. [21] He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, [22] “Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!”
[23] Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day. [24] Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples. [25] For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. [26] For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens. [27] Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.
[28] Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! [29] Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Yahweh in holy array. [30] Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved.
[31] Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns!” [32] Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is in it! [33] Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.
[34] Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. [35] Say, “Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.”
[36] Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised Yahweh.
I was at the MenAlive Time Out 2024 Faith Ablaze and they recommended we use the SOAR method for these devotions.
Share a quick take: Which one or two points really grabs your attention?
vv 25-26 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.
Observe: What does God seem to be saying and revealing to you?
Yahweh is the creator. I need not fear idols, spirits, etc. but I need to fear Him. Awe of Him should overwhelm me.
In light of the above, fear of Yahweh should keep me from sin. It’s like what Jimmy Swaggart confessed after he fell: “The problem was not that I didn’t love God. I loved Him. But I didn’t fear Him.”
I have a similar danger. I need to fear Yahweh. I love Him, but the fact that I still give in to sin shows that I don’t fear Him enough. He is holy. He does not tolerate sin. I must not allow my trust in His grace and forgiveness to stop me from fearing Him. The consequences of sin are terrible, as we saw in David’s life.
Action: Share what specific action steps that you will now take in light of what God has spoken to you.
When the temptation comes to linger my eyes on those sexy advertisements that pop up online, on those girls in midriff-baring outfits I must bounce my eyes. Remember to fear Yahweh! Remember the wrath of God and the consequences.
Similarly, when I go to sleep, I need to guard my mind. Prepare myself with good thoughts.
Then I can praise and rejoice in God in purity and without hypocrisy. Then I can rejoice together with the heavens and the earth and be glad. I then can join them and say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns!” Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is in it! Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.
Request for prayer: What is your specific prayer request for yourself in light of this?
Father, You know how hard it is for me to do the above. I want to be intimate with You. I want to honour You and my wife. I want to fear You with great reverent awe and stay far away from sin. I want to celebrate with creation and praise You in purity and holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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