Scripture
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be performed.
~Psalm 65:1, NRSV
Quote
The Christian ought to be a living doxology.
~Martin Luther
Dr. Wiersbe like the Revised English Bible’s translation of verse 1, “Praise is fitting for You, O God.” I like them all:
- AV–Praise waits for Thee, O God.
- NLT–What mighty praise belongs to You, O God.
- HCSB–Praise is rightfully Yours, O God.
- NRSV–Praise is due to You, O God.
The AV, NIV and NIrV speak of this over due praise as being future. The NIRV reads, “God, we look forward to praising You in Zion.” I will agree that there is a future day when all creation will praise God but you and I do not have to wait until that day. David didn’t wait, he wrote this Psalm which is a hymn of praise. Actually the natural world is in a praise mode now, it is man, the rebellious creature that refuses to Give God the praise that is due Him. David said in the last two verses of this song, The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. One of the most beautiful sights that I have ever seen took place near the old Fairview Church of God sanctuary. Leroy Simons had a sheep ranch just this side of the church. There is a beautiful cemetery just North and East of the church and a lush green valley in between. At the time, Leroy had 300 or more sheep and there white fleeces dotted the green grass. It was a moment of worship. I was tempted to get a burial plot on the very spot where I was standing. The natural world is alive with praise for our awesome Creator.
David was not about to let a rock, a hill, a valley, a majestic mountain or a lush meadow filled with sheep take his place: He was going to praise the LORD and he gave us a list in Psalm 65 of things for which we should give God praise.
- God answers prayer–v.2
- God forgives our sin–v.3
- God brings us near–v.4
- God gives us hope –v.5
- God is girded with might–v.6
- God is awesome–v.8
- God provides–v.9
- God sends the rain–v.10 {Thank YOU Jesus for the rain}
- God is an abundant giver: He gives more than enough–v.11
Theology, the study of God, should always lead to doxology. Paul said in Philippians 3:10, I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of His sufferings by becoming like Him in His death. None of us know God completely; we are in the process of getting to know Him. I am convinced that the better we know Him the more apt we are to praise HIM. I think we have a very dim understanding of his benevolence, of His love and of His infinite goodness. If we knew HIM better, we would praise HIM more. Whereas some refuse to give God praise due to their rebellion, others fail to do it out of shere ignorance.
Prayer For Team Guatemala
- I did a few thoughts on the LCBS lesson last Sunday on the blog. I may try that again. I know one of our teachers read it. Last weeks lesson was loaded. I thought about preaching it tomorrow morning.
- SUNDAY SCHEDULE
- Coffee, donuts and biscuits @8:45
- LIFE CHANGING BIBLE STUDY @ 9:15
- CELEBRATE JESUS IN WORSHIP @ 10:15 and 6:15
- LOOKING AHEAD: I made a typo on the pool party…got this one right I hope.
- BLOCK PARTY Sunday [August 6], one worship service at 10:15. No LCBS.
- PRAYER WALK on August 6th at 6:00 PM [at each of our three schools]
- AWANA POOL PARTY is August 13th at 6:00 I think.
- BLOCK PARTY WEEK SCHEDULE
- Wednesday night at 6:00–Media Blitz and Pizza
- Thursday evening at 5:00–Grace Barn, Fencing, Stage and Pavilion Repair
- Friday all day–Grace Barn, Fencing, Game set ups, Gates
- Saturday morning at 9:00–final touch ups, Sound set up for stage, vender set ups
- Saturday evening at 4:30 in the Sanctuary–Team meeting with prizes for workers
- Saturday evening at 6:00–gates open
Way to Go Lara!
Congrats to Lara, our Granddaughter. She graduated Paul Mitchell school for hair repair yesterday.
