Ps 66

Devotion 1 of 1: Ps 66

This psalm is a song of praise to God. I can see 2 aspects of praising God. The 1st is found in v.1-7 and can be called “Praising God for His Blessings.” The 2nd is found in v.8-20 and can be labeled “Praising God during Trials.”
In the 1st praise, we make a joyful shout, honor God’s name (v.1), praise God for His awesome works and the greatness of His power (v.2), and we praise Him for the wonderful things He’s done for us (v.5-7)!
In the 2nd praise, we thank Him for keeping us alive and keeping our feet from being moved (v.9), for testing us and refining us as silver (v.10), and for bringing us through afflictions, fire and water into a rich fulfillment (v.11-12).
When we praise God during difficult times, we are actually paying our vows to God (v.13) because when we say we love God with all our heart, mind and body, the meaning of that statement is that we will not grumble and speak negative about Him! It’s that same as when we complain or speak negatively about our spouses, we are not showing love for them!
And one reason that God allows trials to come our way is found in v.18. It’s to expose sin in our life so we can repent and get rid of it. That’s what v.10 means about God testing us and refining us as silver is refined by going through fire!
Let’s have these 2 aspects of praise in our life, everyday! Praise God!

2 TIM 1: Free sharing!
One of the most difficult trials for a pastor or apostle is for his believers to leave him. Such a thing happened to Paul, according to v.15: “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” Jesus went through a similar trial when His disciples forsook Him before His crucifixion.
But it is those times which drive the pastor to his knees to seek God. I remember a testimony I heard of a pastor whose pioneer team all left him and returned to their mother church because they felt he was a failure. That caused him to pray all night, crying out to God for answers. God showed him things he needed to change, and when he did change, people began attending the new church! Today, that church is reaching thousands of people in their city, including homeless, drug addicts, gang members, prostitutes, and other broken lives!
Let’s pray for pastors and missionaries in Japan, many who have had years of ministry producing only little fruit and also experiencing many times people leaving their church. Let’s pray that God will turn their tears into praises of joy for God giving them an abundant harvest in the end!