God Morning “Observed”. Today we are in Psalm 66.
“Praise to God For His Awesome Works.” At first glance it appears this is a Psalm for the nation of Israel. After all, the psalm praises the awesome works of the God of Israel. Sure, Israel is the intended audience, but the psalm is also written to the nations, the “peoples” (Vs 8). The intent of its message is for the nations to observe how God deals with Israel (and how Israel responds to God) and for ALL the nations to respond by praising the Lord.
The God of the Old Testament was not against foreigners. He was against foreign gods! God’s reason for raising up a people unto Himself was not so He could ostracize other nations but so He could gather the nations to Himself. Israel was to be a nation of priests, each pointing the way to the one true God (Exodus 19:3-6).
This Israelite “priesthood” is not speaking solely of the Levites, although they acted as priests within the “nation of priests.” Rather, every Israelite was to represent the Lord in such a way as to convince foreigners to leave their idols and worship the one true God alone. It is also the primary calling of every believer in Jesus. We are a “royal priesthood, a chosen generation” (1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6)
As we face the struggles and trials of this life, outsiders watch to see how we will react. They “observe” those who claim Christ, those who call themselves Christians - Christ followers. God has taken ordinary sinners and turned them into holy priests. That’s us! If we will make ourselves available to Him (Romans 12:1), by His Holy Spirit through His Word - He will transform us into who He wants us to be (Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6). Do others “observe” that transformation in us as they look on? Does it compel them to want the same?
Love you all! Dig in!
“Praise to God For His Awesome Works.” At first glance it appears this is a Psalm for the nation of Israel. After all, the psalm praises the awesome works of the God of Israel. Sure, Israel is the intended audience, but the psalm is also written to the nations, the “peoples” (Vs 8). The intent of its message is for the nations to observe how God deals with Israel (and how Israel responds to God) and for ALL the nations to respond by praising the Lord.
The God of the Old Testament was not against foreigners. He was against foreign gods! God’s reason for raising up a people unto Himself was not so He could ostracize other nations but so He could gather the nations to Himself. Israel was to be a nation of priests, each pointing the way to the one true God (Exodus 19:3-6).
This Israelite “priesthood” is not speaking solely of the Levites, although they acted as priests within the “nation of priests.” Rather, every Israelite was to represent the Lord in such a way as to convince foreigners to leave their idols and worship the one true God alone. It is also the primary calling of every believer in Jesus. We are a “royal priesthood, a chosen generation” (1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6)
As we face the struggles and trials of this life, outsiders watch to see how we will react. They “observe” those who claim Christ, those who call themselves Christians - Christ followers. God has taken ordinary sinners and turned them into holy priests. That’s us! If we will make ourselves available to Him (Romans 12:1), by His Holy Spirit through His Word - He will transform us into who He wants us to be (Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6). Do others “observe” that transformation in us as they look on? Does it compel them to want the same?
Love you all! Dig in!
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