Tag: ruling forever
Sunday rest and reflection: Psalm of Thanks
As we reflect back on this week’s reading and thank the Lord for His wonderful Grace, I am drawn to the psalm of thanks written by King David in 1st Chronicles 16:8-36. This is quoted again in part in three other psalms in the Book of Psalms; 105, 96, 106. This psalm of thanks was composed when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem after being away in captivity and then at the house of Obed-Edom. This is the time that David took off his kingly robes and danced before the Lord with all his might. (2nd Samuel 6:12-16) He was overjoyed to have the presence and blessing of God in Jerusalem, the city of David.
The psalm has a joyful tone and is boastful of the Lord and his great miracles and mercies! It exhorts singing, praying, rejoicing, remembering, giving, declaring, trembling, crying out, and thanksgiving from all peoples! The desire of God to spread His fame to the nations of the earth is a recurring theme! (1st Chronicles 16:8,24,28,31,35) God wants the nations aware of his wonders, miracles, and judgments. He wants nations to know His Glory too. He exhorts the nations to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name. He desires the nations to understand that the Lord who made the heavens and earth reigns supreme!
The last verses of this psalm encourage God’s people to cry out to the Lord to save them from the nations! Although God desires the nations to be saved, He desires His people to come out from the nations and join the kingdom of God. God is the only one who can save and deliver! God is the only one worthy of all praise and thanksgiving! He reigns from everlasting to everlasting! (1nd Chronicles 16:35-36) Let all God’s people say “Amen”.
What a great reflection on this seventh day of rest! God has not changed! He is desirous of all nations knowing Him and coming under His eternal rule! We are to share His marvelous works and deeds with all nations and every person! We are to worship, sing, remember, give, thank, seek, rejoice, cry out, declare, and praise this God who reigns from everlasting to everlasting! Have a great day of rest and joy! Jesus Christ is Lord!