The Light & Smile of God

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 89:1-18 (NRSV)

God's covenant with David

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.'"
Selah

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
great and awesome above all that are around him?
O Lord God of hosts,
who is as mighty as you, O Lord?
Your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it - you have founded them.
The north and the south - you created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.


DEVOTION

Hallelujah and Amen!

I love this psalm of praise to God! What a gift the author had for words; truly, he extolled the Lord in ways that I can only dream of articulating!

Yesterday I was teaching a Bible Study on the Lord's prayer and we noticed that Jesus taught us to start with praise and end with praise.

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name...," and then again at the end, "for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever amen."

Jesus taught us that God is praiseworthy and that we ought to do our best to show forth our love for God!

My favorite lines from today's psalm are, "Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.

Isn't it a glorious thought to imagine ourselves walking in the light of God's countenance? How could we not choose to do the glory shout, exult God's name, and extol God's righteousness?

I often imagine myself bathed in the smile of God as I go throughout my day. God's smile warms me from the inside out and gives me incredible JOY.

Out of this joy I try to project a life of praise that gives glory to my God and causes others to want to learn more.

In yesterday's Bible Study I asked the question, "Could a non-Christian look at us and see anything different?"

The answer ought to be a resounding YES! We ought to look and sound different! Our countenances ought to be full of joy and our words ought to be full of love for God and neighbor.

Truly, the world will know that we are Christians by our love! Won't you choose to praise God today with your whole body, mind, soul, and strength? If so, please pray with me:

Magnificent God! How I love you! There is none like you in all the earth! You are wonderful, glorious, beautiful, awesome, omnipotent, omniscient, kind, gentle, patient, and faithful, at all times. When I look at this Earth, I am stunned by its beauty. When I count my blessings, I am besieged by praise! Truly, there was never been and never will be One like you and it is my greatest honor to serve you in any way that you see fit. Please help me to be a usable vessel of honor for you and to serve your Kingdom with faithfulness. I want to stand in the light of your countenance and smile and to share the same with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta




Yesterday's blog (Aug 10, 2010) entitled "A Sinner Undone!" really resonated with my non-Christian friends. If you have not yet read it, please do so. I hope it will be a blessing to you! God bless!