For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised, Psalm 96:1aThis morning I got up singing a scripture song I learned as a child: “The joy of the Lord is my strength”, which comes from Nehemiah 8. Nehemiah and Ezra had gathered together the remnant (from captivity) of the Jews in Jerusalem, reading and teaching them from the book of the Law of Moses. Upon hearing the words of the book the people were grieved and began to cry, however; they were told, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
How often do we, as God’s people, humble ourselves before Him? How often are we brought to tears—tears of conviction or tears of joy—upon hearing God’s word? How often do we stop and contemplate, the joy of the Lord is our strength; that without Him we are nothing?
Psalm 96 tells us our God, “is great and greatly to be praised” (v. 1). Our God is the Creator who made the heavens (v. 5)—honor, majesty, strength and beauty are before Him (v. 6). Our Lord reigns (v. 10).
I challenge you today to take the time to praise and worship our great God; right now in this very minute. Forget your list of needs, wants, and desires; forget about how busy you are. Just take a moment, clear your mind and go humbly before the Lord and worship Him. He is worthy! Amen.
God Bless!
