THE PSALMS – A JOURNEY IN WORSHIP AND FAITH - November 17, 2014 - Day 96 - Psalm 96

As Christians all of us are called to be a witness for Jesus. Yes, not all of us will be Billy Graham and reach thousands of lost souls in a stadium. Most of will not travel to a foreign country and die trying to share the Gospel to an indigenous tribe of men who want to drive spears into our hearts like Jim Elliot did. But Jesus clearly calls each and every one of us to be His light to a dark and dying world. Psalm 96 provides the way for each of to do our part in the Great Commission.

Psalm 96:1-3
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Most of will go to work today and whine and complain about the same things our unsaved co-workers do. We will be afraid of the same things they afraid of. Most of us will behave just like them. The psalmist suggests we do something different; something new. Sing a new song. Proclaim the good news of Jesus and the hope we have in Him no matter what we face.

Psalm 96:4-5
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

We must stop fearing the things of man and start fearing God and God alone. We must tear down our idols and let the world see we are not afraid because our God is bigger than anything this life can toss our way.

Psalm 96:6-8
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!

Yes we go to church but church does not end on Sunday morning when we leave some building to go eat and watch football. We are the church and if we want change in the world then we must take the church into the world. We are the temple and the world needs us. The world needs us to show them who God is.

Psalm 96:9-10
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Creation speaks of God’s greatness, His beauty, and His power. Why don’t we? While the earth and its beauty are wonderful pictures of God’s creative power it is us that He chose to put a soul into and offer everlasting life. We are the apple of His eye.

Psalm 96:11-13
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Jesus came to save sinners. People perish every day and God has chosen us to be the instrument by which He offers knowledge of His Son’s saving sacrifice to the lost. You do not have to be Billy Graham or Jim Elliot. Show the world the greatness of God by singing a new song. Praise God for every good gift of life and trust Him to take care of whatever problems bring fear or discomfort to your life. Sing that out to those around you. The song doesn’t have to be set to music; it can be sung by your speech and your actions as you live out your life. People are watching us who say we are Christians. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!