April 30, 2015 – Thursday

Start Time:   6:11 AM

End Time:    6:50 AM

Title: Psalm 96. 

Scripture: Psalm 96:1 – 13

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ What a wondrous and joyous psalms chapter 96 is!  Whoever wrote this chapter, clearly had praises in his heart with joy and gladness!  What a very positive author!  Everything in here is about praise and worship, ultimately the most essence of our presence.  Every word declares the glory and power of God; encouraging and urging others to proclaim His praises and declare His glorious Being!  Not many today are able to do this...I am guilty of such.  At times, it's hard to praise and describe the glory of God, primarily because maybe we haven't really seen and witness His glory.  How many times have we struggled during praise and worship?  Not because we don't know the song or the tune, but because we have nothing to say?  Or maybe we do but we don't how to say it or what to say, especially during free-flow worship...am i right?  I know I am guilty of this but I'm glad that this author just made me realize that giving praise to God is first seeing His glory and witnessing it...more than that, experiencing it deep.  We talk about how great God is but even before we say that, remember what made you realize He is great in your life?  Even so, that when things aren't going great in life, you can go back to that memory and remember God's greatness in times of darkness.  I believe this author has a bank of great and amazing memories of the Lord...just look at every word he wrote, it's nothing but praise!  Can we see ourselves in this level of praise to God?  I know i have a long way to go but I desire to be in that level, where every word that comes out of my mouth is a true praise to God. 

Furthermore, I want us to look at verses 11 to 13, the writer here spoke of the coming of the Lord as the JUDGE!  Many people fear the 2nd coming, because in their hearts though they know Christ, they believed in Him, they haven't truly surrendered.  It's sad to know that many Christians are still afraid for the 2nd coming of the Lord.  This author, on the other hand, speaks of such rejoicing and celebration with gladness and joy in the hearts of the people specifically for the Lord's coming as the Judge!  Because in his heart, he believed, he will be judged fairly and justly according to God's righteousness and faithfulness.  Can we say the same thing for us?  Are we excited for the Lord's coming?  Or are we still hesitant for God to come for fear of getting at the wrong side of the court?  Now, this is something we all have to think about; a personal inner evaluation with the Lord.  May we think of such things now before it's too late.

Prayer:

Lord what a wonderful day and message You have for me.  Thank You for the comfort and assurance of Your great love and coming.  Lord, for the past few days or weeks, You have spoken to me about the Fear of You.  With what happened in Nepal and how devastated the nation is right now, Your wrath and anger feels so real.  And yes, it causes fear - definitely the right kind of fear.  But today, though You see it good for me to develop that fear in You in my heart, You took the time to talk to me today about Your 2nd coming, Your coming as the Judge of the world and assured me that the path of the righteous is clear and victorious... filled with love, mercy, grace, peace, and everlasting joy!  So though I am to fear You, there is really nothing to fear Your coming back.  So I await for it Lord, expectantly with rejoicing in my heart.  I long for You to come and judge us according to Your righteousness and faithfulness.  I love You Lord and thank You for my salvation.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!