Today’s Devotional Thought:
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Psalms 96:1-2 ESV).
A Christian friend once struggled to appreciate the Old Testament because it felt irrelevant to his daily life. Therefore, as a remedy, I suggested reading the Old Testament with an eye on the nature of God. Who is He and what has He done? For yes, our context is very different from ancient Israel, but our God is the same. And I have always found that this God-centered view brings relevant application out of nearly any passage of Scripture.
Psalm 96 is no different:
Verse 3: God has glory and His works are marvelous.
Verse 4: God is great and worthy of praise.
Verse 5: God made the heavens.
Verse 6: God has splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty.
Verse 7: God has glory and strength.
Verse 8: God’s name is glorious.
Verse 9: God has the splendor of holiness.
Verse 10: God is reigning as King and Judge.
Verse 13: God is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and faithfulness.
So during COVID-19, let’s keep our eyes and hearts fixed on God. Who is He? What has He done? And the more we read and pray the Bible with God at the center of everything, the more we’ll overcome our fears, anxieties, and temptations during this difficult season. Everything the Bible says about God was true yesterday, is true today, and will be true tomorrow. Praise the Lord! Therefore, the entire Bible is profoundly relevant for each and everyone of us today because we receive glorious windows into His nature and works.
Ways to Pray:
Your works are marvelous. Let me see them today.
You are great and worthy of praise! Let me worship you more today.
You made the heavens. Let me trust you more today.
You have splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty. Let be love you more today.
You have glory and strength. Let me rely on you more today.
Your name is glorious, O Lord. Let me glory in you and nothing else today.
You are reigning as King, Lord Jesus. Let me submit to your Lordship over my life more today.
Lord, you are coming to judge the earth in righteousness and faithfulness. Thank you and let me hope in you more today.
Monday through Friday: Written by Pastor Stern
Saturday and Sunday: Written by Jonathan Hatt