December 2nd, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

How Great Thou Art

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Here I am, Father, ready to do Your will. I will not withhold myself from You this day.

Read Psalm 66:1-20

[1]For the director of music. A song. A psalm. Shout for joy to God, all the earth! [2] Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. [3] Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. [4] All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” [5] Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! [6] He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him. [7] He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against him. [8] Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; [9] he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. [10] For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. [11] You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. [12] You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. [13] I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you- [14] vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. [15] I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. [16] Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. [17] I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. [18] If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; [19] but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. [20] Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates his presence” (C.S. Lewis).

Think Further

The greatness and majesty of God form the dominant theme of this psalm; however, it is not the greatness of someone distant and unknowable. God’s greatness is seen through what he has done. Acts such as drying up the waters, ruling the nations, being present in time of trouble, highlight his majesty and power. Some of these events were past history, but the psalmist also praises God for personal blessings. It is wonderful to think that this great Creator is interested in each of our lives, hears our prayers (19) and blesses us personally with his love (20).

This psalm is an invitation to praise God and stand in awe of him. Nations that have worshiped other gods and have become proud and arrogant cringe before him. A contrast is made between his enemies and those who fear him. While enemies cringe, those who respect the Lord have their prayers answered. The psalmist recognizes that it is often in times of trouble that we cry most fervently to God. He made vows during troubled times and now wants to fulfill them (13). Clearly, there is an absolute conviction that God has answered prayer. We all pass through troubled times, but those who have faith in God often testify that they experience God’s help and presence through every kind of trouble.

We aren’t told what the psalmist’s trouble was but the experiences of hard times had not lessened his faith in God. Through the darkness, God had been there and in the end he always brings his people to a “place of abundance” (12). God has not changed and the one who sustained the psalmist through the hard times can sustain you and me, also.

Apply

Grateful testimony is often a means used by God to strengthen the faith of others. Pray for an opportunity to share God’s care for you with someone.

Closing prayer

Gracious Father, I praise You for Your timely interventions in my life. In You, as the hymn says, I am, “… ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.” I bless Your Name.

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