God makes His salvation known

 January 5

Scripture Reading

Read Psalm 98 and reflect on the passage.

Why do we sing to the Lord with voices raised? Why do we clap and lift our hands up to heaven? Why might tears come to our eyes? Praising God through music connects us to what it means to have God in our lives. It is our way of expressing joy, love, and gratitude for His daily presence. Our praise honors the most wonderful gift God has given us that though we are sinners He created a way for us to have salvation and spend eternity in Heaven. He sent Jesus to save us from our sins and He deserves our never-ending praise.

Perhaps you didn’t trust the Lord as much as you should have during the past year. Perhaps bad things have overshadowed the good in your life. You may be struggling to feel God’s presence. God allows us to go through trials so we learn to trust Him. As we enter the New Year hope can come through our resolution to renew our trust in God who can make all things new. When we trust God, the desire of our hearts will turn to praise for His wonderful salvation.

Questions

1.      Do you like to sing? Sing a favorite praise song. Hum if you don’t remember the words. Enjoy praising God for His love and faithfulness.

2.      What do you need to give to God trusting Him to help you make necessary changes in your life during this New Year?

Prayer

God, I want this New Year to be different for me. I ask for Your help and strength as I entrust my life to You. Amen.

—Judy Mathis

Psalm 98

Prayer is Shouting

When it comes to expressing our faith, our conservative side tends to emerge, especially if we are in the presence of traditionalists. What would they think of me if I were to sing loudly or raise my arms? How would I be received if I sat when everyone else was standing, or stood when the rest of the crowd sat with their heads bowed? We typically conform to the masses.

I remember feeling extremely uncomfortable when I began attending a non-traditional service. I kept waiting for the pastor to indicate it was time to kneel, but there were no kneelers. I patiently observed in expectation, for the entire congregation to recite a ritualistic prayer, in unison, but it never happened. I even sat on the edge of my seat kind of hoping for a familiar ringing of bells or bringing up of the gifts. I sat back in my place wondering how God felt about this approach to worship. It was quite different from what I was accustom to. I wasn’t even sure how I felt about it, but I was drawn back again and again.

Some Sundays were rather low key in regards to the music and the intensity of the message from the Pastor, and others were overwhelming in varying ways. Sometimes I felt like God was speaking directly to me and I could barely contain my joy, other times my pain and sorrow were drawn from me like a magnet attracts metal. I never knew quite what to expect from week to week, and though I was often outside of my comfort zone, in my heart knew I was in the right place.

This weekly church experience truly changed my life. The raw honesty of the messages, and intensity of the hearts of all I observed serving in many ways was truly inspiring. This group of church-goers knew something I had not yet learned. It is not about the routine, nor the expectations of the people or rulers that be. It is about keeping our hands on the bible, our hearts in the Lord, and our feet walking and living His will, serving God and serving others.

My prayer today is that we all “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things…” His power and majesty are beyond our comprehension. His Grace and mercy are what sustain us. This glorious world we reside in was created by His mighty hand. Nothing compares to the promise we have in Him!  

Please listen to "Shout to the Lord" by Hillsong

Read/Listen to Psalm 98

Psalm 98 - Sing to the Lord a new song

When we turn to God for deliverance or comfort or direction, and He responds to our prayers, it is cause to, “Sing to the LORD a new song.” When God moves in our lives and fills us with healing, it is time to “Sing to the LORD a new song.” When our lives are changed as a result of having God, our strong presence, we should not be singing the same old tune of “woe is me,” but a new song of testimony to His healing.

“Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;” Psalm 98:1

I have found that when a Christian approaches his troubles with an attitude of ‘life stinks’, there is something wrong with the picture. Granted, there are times when it feels like this, but there is something we can and should do about it. God wants to clear the air; he is waiting for us to approach Him so that we can sing a new song.

One of the reasons I write in a journal is to remind me of how much I need God in my life. Every time I come face to face with difficulty I make a note of it in my journal. Then I pray about it, sometimes I even ask others to pray with me.

It is important then to note the actions God takes on my behalf, the way in which He moves in my life. If I keep it to myself, where’s the testimony? But, when I shout it out, God gets the glory.

“ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” (Psalm 98:4-6)

God worked in the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Hannah as they cried out to him for a child to fill their empty arms. God heard their cry and answered their prayers. These faithful women sang a new song to the LORD.
Read Psalm 98 here

Listen to Psalm 98 here