Read Psalms 92-100
Highlights:
The writer talks to God; why and how to worship God: You have made me glad, My God reigns, give glory to His Name, everyone sing praise to the Lord; praise for His salvation, His judgment, His Holiness, His faithfulness.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness (Ps. 97:10-12).
These verses contain specific challenges to the believer as well as promises from God. These promises come in response to godly behavior from the believer. It is a familiar concept found again and again in the Word of God. That is the concept of sowing and reaping. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal. 6:7-8).
The psalmist says that if a man is righteous then he will be in the light of the Lord. Of course, this righteousness must come from God. Our righteousness on its own is worth nothing. It is only the righteousness of God that changes the hearts of man. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:1).
We are called to hate that which is evil. This should be a natural response in the believer. If we love God, we should not have any other response to anything that is evil. It is impossible to love God while loving anything evil. This is like saying you are both hot and cold. To even try to embrace both God and that which is evil, is inviting difficult times on ourselves. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).
This Scripture is not alone in its message. A choice in life has to be made. That choice should be easy enough. We need to turn our backs to anything in opposition to God. In doing so, we turn our faces to the Lord. In this place, we can live a repentant life for Christ.
As followers of Christ, we should take the words in these Scriptures to heart. We need to love God above all things. We should also be joyful in our relationship with Him. The greatest life a person can live is one that is dedicated to Jesus Christ. Let us be thankful that we have the honour and privilege of serving the Lord and being counted among His elect.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful (Col. 3:15).
Thought for Today:
If you want joy in your life, start praising the Lord all through the day.
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator: It is He that hath made us (Ps. 100:3). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11).
Word Studies:
92:6 brutish, without regard to reason or propriety; 93:5 becometh, distinguishes; 94:20 throne of iniquity, workers of evil; frameth, devises; 95:7 of His hand, under His care; 99:3 terrible, holy, awesome.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal His perfect will for you (Ps. 25:4).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:7