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Daily Devotion: Psalm 66:1-4

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Psalm 66:1-4    "Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:  (2)  Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.  (3)  Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.  (4)  All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah."

We often see the word, "Selah" in the various Psalms. Although every word of the Bible is true and very important, we find the writers of the Psalms often saying to us, "Selah" - Stop! Think about what you just read.  So this morning, we are going to think about what we just read.  "Make a joyful noise unto God."

What things must be met in our lives before we make a joyful noise unto God?  Must we have everything going well for us before we make a joyful noise unto God?  Must every prayer be answered exactly the way we ask it before we make a joyful noise unto God?  Must everyone treat us with kid gloves before we make a joyful noise unto God?  Must everyone think as highly of us as we think of ourselves before we make a joyful noise unto God?  Is it just on Sunday morning for a few minutes that we make a joyful noise unto God? "Selah." Think about these things.

The Psalmist did not list any criteria to be met in order that we would make a joyful noise unto God. He simply instructs us to give praise and honor unto God. Even when things are going completely opposite to the way in which we think it should happen, we are not to consider ourselves to be a victim. When people mistreat us, when results are not as we expected, or when we think the whole world is against us, we are to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Why is that?  The answer, for me, lies in many promises of God that are found in His Word.  No matter what happens to me personally in this life, God has said: "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; THOU ART MINE." (Isaiah 43:1)  When it seems wave after wave of struggles and trials are about to overwhelm me, I know the Master of the wind.  When it seems I am sinking because of the weight of the world, I know the One Who walks on top of the storms. He comes to me and lifts me up by His hands.

No matter if everything is going my way or not, "through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name."  "Selah."  Think about this. Do you believe the Word of God to be true? Do you believe God is faithful to His promises? Do you believe that He, and He alone, sits upon the throne of all this universe? If so, then we all can "make a joyful noise unto God."  How about it? Selah. Think about it. Follow through with it.

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