FROM BEGINNING TO END…AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds…
Psalm 98:1a (NLT)
…for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
Psalm 98:9b (NLT)
Do you ever wonder what there is to praise God about? Or do you get stuck in feeling like your prayers say the same thing over and over? It’s easy to get in a rut with your prayers and praises if you’re not taking time to appreciate all the world of difference God is constantly making.
If you read through Psalm 98, you’ll notice that this Psalm begins with a call to praise God for all that He has done (…he has done wonderful deeds, vs. 1). And it ends with a call to praise God for what He will do (He will judge the world with justice… vs. 9). It’s like the Psalmist is saying, from beginning to end, and all that there is in between—there is a world of wonderful acts of God to reflect on and let shape your praises.
The Bible is full of stories about God rescuing, empowering, emboldening, and carrying out His sovereign plan to fix all that is broken in this world. And He will carry out His good work until He returns to redeem His creation in full. Until then, we have a world of things to praise God for, if we’re wise to stop, reflect on, and appreciate all God has done, all that He will do, and everything in between!
APPLICATION: Take a moment to reflect on all that God has done. Consider how He has preserved His people through unimaginable opposition, authored mighty acts of deliverance, and shaped countless individuals who weren’t highly regarded by the world into martyrs, heroes and true Saints of the faith. Now, consider what He will do when He comes to set everything right in the world with full justice, fairness and equity. Let those thoughts, coupled with thankfulness for what God is uniquely doing all around you right now, bubble up into joyful praise to God!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me today that You are a God who deserves my full worship for all that You’ve done, all that You’re doing, and all that You will do when You come to set everything right. Please open my eyes today to see new ways You’re working and let my praise reflect joyful admiration of all Your loving acts from beginning to end. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?