 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 5 How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! 6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: 7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; 8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever. 9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. 10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me[a] fresh oil. 11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. 12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, 15 to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Meditation God’s sovereign grace makes our heart sing in celebration of His faithfulness, His works of grace from the past, in the future, and for the present. Sabbath is a gift from God, a sign of our covenant relationship with God and a gift of deep rest for our soul. Today’s Sabbath song provides lyrics to deepen the satisfaction of our soul. The song begins from our lips, thanking and praising God for His works of grace in the past. We declare His steadfast love in the morning and faithfulness in the evening. God’s works of grace fuel worship from our hearts (1-4). The Sabbath song continues by celebrating future grace, God’s work to remove evil and enemies (5-11). There is great present comfort for the worshipper who sings of God’s future grace. God wins, even though evil flourishes like grass. Hope fuels our faith when we sing of God’s future grace. The song concludes with present nourishment for both flourishing and fruitfulness as we sing of God’s ongoing work of grace, a present reality for all who trust the Lord (12-15). Faith feeds the roots of our soul to sink deeply into God’s presence, bearing fruit and remaining “sappy.” Present grace gives growth and our lives will show, or declare, the faithfulness of God. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28) and the focus of the fullness of God’s works of grace- past, future, and present. Our faith is fed when we focus on Jesus. Our souls will sing when we look to His face and see God’s faithfulness. Richly Dwelling -Where do you see and need to celebrate God’s works of grace in the past? How can you thank and praise Him in the morning and evening this Sabbath? -How does a re-enforcement of God’s future grace fuel present faith, knowing evil will be defeated and God’s enemies will be vanquished? -God’s present grace invites you to sink your roots into the soil of His faithfulness. How can your heart focus more on Christ and His work today? Key Verse It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, Comments are closed.
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