Psalm 66 - Tell Your Story

Psalm 66:1-9, 16-17, 20 NIV

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! 

Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. 

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! 

So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 

All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,

 they sing the praises of your name.” 

Come and see what God has done,

 his awesome deeds for mankind! 

He turned the sea into dry land,

 they passed through the waters on foot—

 come, let us rejoice in him. 

He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—

 let not the rebellious rise up against him. 

Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;

 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 

Come and hear, all you who fear God;

 let me tell you what he has done for me. 

I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 66 is another pure praise liturgy. The psalm invites the praises of all the earth. He acknowledges God's awesome power and His sovereign rule over all His creation. God keeps an eye on the Gentile nations as well as His chosen nation, Israel. In thanksgiving, the writer of the psalm celebrates God's deliverance of the people of Israel from captivity in Egypt. He recounts how God led them across the Red Sea with a miraculous show of power. He remembers how God led the people of Israel through the desert. God used the desert to refine them, to prepare them as a people ready to take possession of the promised land. He recounts God's faithfulness to them, watching over them as they journeyed 40 years in the wilderness.

But then the psalm turns personal. I love how the psalmist connects God's history with Israel to his own personal story. God's action to rescue Israel from slavery means that God acts to save him too. God's faithfulness to Israel in the desert means he can expect God to be faithful to Him as well. God is leading all who love Him to a promised future.

The psalmist shares this invitation.

"Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." (Psa 66:16)

What is your story? How has God delivered you from slavery to sinful habits and attitudes? How has God shown faithfulness to you in your life's journey? How does the Lord give you hope for the future?

The apostle Peter told the church to be prepared to tell others your story.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

Celebrate openly the faithful love of God. Trust His divine reign over all creation. Hope in His promises for the future. And tell your story of God's good work in your life.