Behold God's Awesome Works

In this sermon we looked into Psalm 66, a powerful call to worship and praise God for His awesome deeds. The Psalms have long been a source of spiritual nourishment, providing us with the vocabulary to engage with God in prayer and worship. Psalm 66 begins with a global call to worship, urging all the earth to shout for joy and sing praises to God. This call is not superficial but deeply rooted in the recognition of God's mighty works, both in creation and in redemption. We explored how humanity is naturally wired to express joy and excitement, often seen in our reactions to sports events. If we can get so animated over a game, how much more should we express our joy and gratitude to God, who has redeemed us and brought us into His kingdom? The psalmist moves from a global perspective to a national and then a personal one, highlighting that worship is fitting for all because God is the Creator and Redeemer. The sermon emphasized that our joy and God's glory are not at odds. In fact, they are deeply intertwined. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This enjoyment of God is not just a personal experience but a corporate one, where we gather to remind each other of God's greatness and faithfulness. We also discussed the importance of having the right vocabulary for worship and prayer. Just as we search for the perfect words in a greeting card, the Psalms provide us with the perfect words to express our hearts to God. This is crucial for sincere and heartfelt worship. The psalmist recalls God's redemptive acts, particularly the Exodus, as a central theme in Israel's worship. Similarly, for Christians, the Lord's Supper serves as a reminder of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Worship involves sacrifice, not just in the Old Testament sense but in offering our lives as living sacrifices, as stated in Romans 12:1. Finally, the psalmist moves to a personal testimony, which should inspire us to share what God has done for us. This personal experience of God's faithfulness and steadfast love should overflow into our worship and our witness to others.