Day 54 - Psalm 97
The Psalmist paints a very vivid description of His power. It's quite remarkable to think that God can have all this power and yet not take advantage of it. He isn't into selfish gain or doesn't get drunk off power (like some people in this world). With that said, if we are ever in a position to have power over someone (be someone's boss, run a company, be a teacher, etc), we should think of this Psalm and remember how God uses it. Not for gain but for bettering a situation, place or person.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Day 53 - Psalm 98 (King James)
:4b - "make a loud noise" -- Other versions read: break out in praise (NLT); let loose and sing (the Message); burst into jubilant song (NIV).
I just absolutely love the different versions to this part of the verse. These are such vivid descriptions of how we can praise God with song and action. Loudly, breaking out, letting loose, bursting... It's okay to let loose and be loud in front of God. Whether its praising Him with song or crying out to Him. I don't think God cares what type of action we use to respond to Him; just as long as we respond. And responding lies solely on us... God can't forces us to respond... we should do it in response to Him and what He's done in our lives.
:4b - "make a loud noise" -- Other versions read: break out in praise (NLT); let loose and sing (the Message); burst into jubilant song (NIV).
I just absolutely love the different versions to this part of the verse. These are such vivid descriptions of how we can praise God with song and action. Loudly, breaking out, letting loose, bursting... It's okay to let loose and be loud in front of God. Whether its praising Him with song or crying out to Him. I don't think God cares what type of action we use to respond to Him; just as long as we respond. And responding lies solely on us... God can't forces us to respond... we should do it in response to Him and what He's done in our lives.
Day 52 - Psalm 99 (The Message)
:1a "God rules!"
I understand that this version is meant to imply that God is the ruler over everything. However, it's fun to think "God rules" means that He rocks; He's awesome; His #1... And, in fact, He is. God does amazing things. He can part the Red Sea and extend grace/mercy to forgive sins. He can guide little ol' me and take on my worries and problems. He can do it all, literally. So, with that said, God does rule!
:1a "God rules!"
I understand that this version is meant to imply that God is the ruler over everything. However, it's fun to think "God rules" means that He rocks; He's awesome; His #1... And, in fact, He is. God does amazing things. He can part the Red Sea and extend grace/mercy to forgive sins. He can guide little ol' me and take on my worries and problems. He can do it all, literally. So, with that said, God does rule!
Day 51 - Psalm 100
:2b "...come before Him, singing with joy."
Songs can be uplifting, fun, inspirational, depressing, etc... they can certainly set a mood and mindset. They can also become mundane, repetitive and down right predictable. I'll have to admit that there have been times when I've been in church and I'd sing the songs but not sing the songs. This verse says "sing with joy" -- and that is what we must do every time we come before God. It's one thing to sing the song we've heard a gozillion times. But it's another thing to sing it with joy! Sometimes, singing the song will bring you joy. Other times, it's up to us to bring the joy before the Lord in song.
:2b "...come before Him, singing with joy."
Songs can be uplifting, fun, inspirational, depressing, etc... they can certainly set a mood and mindset. They can also become mundane, repetitive and down right predictable. I'll have to admit that there have been times when I've been in church and I'd sing the songs but not sing the songs. This verse says "sing with joy" -- and that is what we must do every time we come before God. It's one thing to sing the song we've heard a gozillion times. But it's another thing to sing it with joy! Sometimes, singing the song will bring you joy. Other times, it's up to us to bring the joy before the Lord in song.
Day 50 - Psalm 101
Eight verses and eight times the Psalms says, "I will". Not "might" or "probably" but "I will". He wants to please God so he speaks in future tense. He wants to live an upright and holy life. Its as if he was speaking into his own future... he was laying the tracks for the road ahead with positive thinking and confident speak. Now, only if we did this everyday, imagine what could happen...
Eight verses and eight times the Psalms says, "I will". Not "might" or "probably" but "I will". He wants to please God so he speaks in future tense. He wants to live an upright and holy life. Its as if he was speaking into his own future... he was laying the tracks for the road ahead with positive thinking and confident speak. Now, only if we did this everyday, imagine what could happen...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Day 4Nine - Psalm 102
The Psalmist is basically writing how worthless he is and that his life is in shambles. But yet, in the midst, he doesn't blame God and he still praises God. I sometimes get caught up in thinking that there's a correlation between how good my life is and the amount of praise I give God. Thankfully, no such connection exists. Here, the Psalmist is gonna praise God no matter what. Praising God is an attitude and a way of life. And this is a nice reminder to live with this attitude and completely reject the notion that God hands out "good circumstances and life" to those who praise Him the most.
The Psalmist is basically writing how worthless he is and that his life is in shambles. But yet, in the midst, he doesn't blame God and he still praises God. I sometimes get caught up in thinking that there's a correlation between how good my life is and the amount of praise I give God. Thankfully, no such connection exists. Here, the Psalmist is gonna praise God no matter what. Praising God is an attitude and a way of life. And this is a nice reminder to live with this attitude and completely reject the notion that God hands out "good circumstances and life" to those who praise Him the most.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Day 4Eight - Psalm 103
:10b - "(God) does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve."
Okay, phew! I don't know about you but sometimes I think that God will strike me down the moment after I sin. Sinners deserve to be punished, right? I recognize that the enemy is probably using this as a tactic for derailment, but still, I have a human way of thinking. And in dealing with other people, we have a tendency to deal harshly with people who have wronged us. "They deserve to be punished" we say with a just tone. But thankfully --THANKFULLY-- God isn't a person; He doesn't use that tone, even though we do deserve it. He is God and He has the ability to extend grace and mercy to those who have wronged Him. So just imagine if we did the same to those who have wronged us...
:10b - "(God) does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve."
Okay, phew! I don't know about you but sometimes I think that God will strike me down the moment after I sin. Sinners deserve to be punished, right? I recognize that the enemy is probably using this as a tactic for derailment, but still, I have a human way of thinking. And in dealing with other people, we have a tendency to deal harshly with people who have wronged us. "They deserve to be punished" we say with a just tone. But thankfully --THANKFULLY-- God isn't a person; He doesn't use that tone, even though we do deserve it. He is God and He has the ability to extend grace and mercy to those who have wronged Him. So just imagine if we did the same to those who have wronged us...
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