Celebrating God’s Goodness - Solace from the Psalms - Martin Wiles

For thousands of years, people have found comfort in the Psalms. No matter what emotion you are experiencing or fight you're facing, the psalms have something important to say. For the next little while, Love Lines from God will feature, "Solace from the Psalms." We hope you enjoy. And please share them with a friend.  

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. Psalm 92:1 NLT 

Retirement years weren’t always celebrated—and with good reason. There were none.

People worked until they died or became physically incapacitated, at which time they depended on family and savings. Then a reason for celebration happened. While the United States of America was in the grips of economic depression, Congress passed a law creating the Social Security system. Income now flows in a person’s senior years.

Social Security and retirement savings give reason to celebrate our latter years, and the worship experience is the believer’s opportunity to celebrate God’s goodness. Unfortunately, worship becomes drudgery when performed for the wrong reasons, such as coming because of rote tradition instead of a heartfelt desire to encounter the living God. Or showing up at church out of guilt, hoping the songs and sermon will alleviate emotional pain.

The psalmist’s picture of worship is radically different. Worship celebrates God as Sovereign ruler and Savior. It entails joy over His provision of our daily needs and celebrates His promise to work good from all life’s circumstances—the enjoyable and unenjoyable. This only occurs when we’ve examined our heart’s condition prior to the experience and come desiring to encounter God, not merely fulfill a duty.

Worship also celebrates God’s eternal qualities. Our earthly future and eternal destiny are in His hands. Worshipping God in the present prepares us for an eternity of the same but at a higher level. But if we’re not intentional, temporal responsibilities and attractions can sabotage our loyalties.

Those who master worshipping God effectively flourish like trees and bear fruit into their old age. Worship isn’t about carrying on a family tradition, but celebrating an individual relationship with a living Lord. One that transforms the way we think, feel, and act.

Enter into worship with anticipation.

Tweetable: Are you celebrating God's Goodness?

Prayer: Father, may our worship be vibrant, exciting and heartfelt as we realize we’re worshipping a great and glorious God.

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