The Psalms have brought tremendous comfort and guidance to so many for so long. Join me in taking a fresh look at each Psalm. As you read through them, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Psalms 97, 98, and 99.
Reflection 1
The Lord reigns. This truth is always so important to remember. In defeat and triumph, He reigns. In sorrow and joy, He reigns. In storms and calm, He reigns. In sickness and health, He reigns. When things are going right and when they feel like they are going wrong, He reigns. Regardless of where you are and what you are going through, God is with you and He reigns. Nothing is beyond His control. He sees you. Be encouraged.
“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.” — Psalms 97:1, 6
Reflection 2
What marvelous things has God done for you? Praise Him. Give thanks. Make a list. Look at it often. Add to it as you go. It will become a long and growing list. God has done and will do marvelous things for you.
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” — Psalms 98:1
Reflection 3
Psalms 99 repeats the phrase “God is holy” several times. It’s worth asking the question, what does it mean to know that God is holy? It means many things. Throughout the Bible, we read He is just, righteous, loving, pure, full of compassion, mighty, patient, good, and kind. It’s important to know what holiness means to better know God. We also should know what holiness means because the Bible calls us to “be holy as He is holy.” While we will never be God, we do need to stand for what He stands for and be like Him. In what ways can you be more like Him today? Pray with me today. “Lord, may I be like you today in how I think, relate, behave, love, live, speak, and may I honor you in every area of my life!”
“Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.” — Psalms 99:9