Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sabbath, July 16, 2016
Today’s Scripture Focus: “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: Make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: Talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: Seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the LORD our God: His judgments are in all the earth ” (Psalm 105:1–8).
We are focusing on sin recovery principle number 11 of 12: “We sought God’s presence in our lives and the power to do His will through consistent prayer and meditating upon His Word.”
God is worthy of our praise! Where have I read that before? I know this is the same way we opened with yesterday’s thought, but it’s as true today as it was then. In today’s theme text, the psalmist ushers us into a worship session – a how-to of sorts.
One Powerful Song
He opens this particular song with thanksgiving and praise. He said to give thanks and call upon His name. Do you realize that there is power in God’s name? He’s God our healer. He is God our strength. He is God our deliverer. He is God our way out of no way. He is God our resting place. He is God our provider. And because He is all of that and infinitely more, He is worthy of our praise! Call Him by name and He will answer.
The psalmist continues by encouraging us to sing of and talk about His wondrous works. He created the worlds and all that is in them. He gave you the Sabbath in which you can delight. He refreshed the earth with rain so you could have food to eat and water to drink. He protected you from your crazy boss. He helped you say kind words to your neighbor when that neighbor said dirty things to you about people that look like you. He helped you be cooperative on that last traffic stop. He put food on your table when your money ran out last month. He saved your daughter from that evil boyfriend she chose, and she just broke up with him. Are you getting this? He kept you in your right mind as you read the horrible news in Turkey, Russia, France, and even in America. Recount the many blessings He has bestowed upon you. He is worthy of your praise!
Seek God’s Strength
The psalmist continues by encouraging us to seek the Lord’s face and His strength. Seek Him while He may still be found, friends. I found myself praying all through the night because I wanted God to enlighten my mind with truth. Call on Him and He will answer. When you are too weak to overcome that temptation, seek God’s face. When you want to reach for that comfort food at midnight and you know you shouldn’t, call Him up. When your husband or wife seems to have lost his/her mind, call Him up. When all you want to do is get a decent night’s rest, and your neighbor’s dogs keep barking, call Him up. When you want to hear a word from the Lord in church, and your pastor apparently did not invest time in sermon preparation, call Him up.
Today’s Scripture focus is deliberately geared toward encouraging us to actively, thankfully engage in worship and praise. The Bible says that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. If you want a sure fire way to experience the fulness of God, learn to worship Him. And as you do so, you will soon discover that sin no longer has dominion over you. Give God your praise. Give God your worship. Give God your life!
