Praise God ... Every Day! (Psalm 145:21)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:21

Our God is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Not a day should go by that we believers don't offer Him worship.

Think of all He is.

He is gracious, merciful, compassionate, and loving. He is patient, gentle, and kind.

He is all-powerful, Sovereign, just, holy, and righteous. He is faithful, unchangeable, infinite, and perfect.

He is wise, personal, and accessible to His children.

He is the Giver of all good things. He works all things for good. He is our Redeemer and Savior. He is our Father, our Abba. He is our Comforter and Teacher. He is the Victor over sin.

He is our shield, our stronghold, our strength. He is our light, our sustainer, our rescuer. He is our fortress and refuge.

He loves us everlastingly and unconditionally.

Praise Him for all He is, for He is everything. Everything.

Good News ... and Bad News (Psalm 145:20)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:20

Today's verse is both incredibly encouraging and tremendously tragic.

"The Lord keeps all who love Him ..." How wonderful are these words? He "keeps the feet of His godly ones" (1 Samuel 2:9). We can be assured that "He who was born of God [Jesus Himself] keeps [those who follow Christ], and the evil one does not touch [them]" (1 John 5:18). Indeed, we are "inscribed" on the palm of our God's hands (Isaiah49:16).

I am so encouraged when I remember how God is with me. How He sustains me. How He carries me as a loving Shepherd carries a lost lamb. How He wants His very best for me.

Then I read the second part of this verse: "But all the wicked He will destroy." I've written before how God is holy and righteous and cannot abide sin. Although He's revealed Himself through creation, through His word, and through the testimonies of the saints, many—countless many—choose not choose to follow Him. They revel in their sin or think they're "good enough," and therefore see no need for a Savior.

Whether they blatantly sin or just believe their good will outweigh their bad, they're wicked in the eyes of God. And one day, when they stand before the Great White Throne, they'll hear, "... depart from me, you who practice wickedness" (Matthew 7:23). They'll be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) and will spend eternity separated from their Creator.

When I read verse like today's, I am encouraged, and I praise God that He keeps me. But the sadness I feel because of the lost makes me want to do all I can to reach them. And all I can do is be available for God to use me as He chooses.

Our God is Ever-Present (Psalm 145:18-19)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:18-19

These verses are full of encouragement for my heart and soul.

So many faiths serve a distant god—or gods, in some cases. They believe in a being that may have created the world, but isn't interested in our day-to-day. We who follow in the God of the Bible, however, believe He is personal and deeply involved in each moment of our every day.

We know He is near to us and He hears us when we call to Him. He never leaves us, never forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He knows our every need and listens to each cry of our hearts (Psalm 5:2; 18:6).

Isn't that amazing? The God of the universe is with you, never leaving your side! When you cry out to Him, He listens. He answers.

He also will fulfill the desires of our hearts. This is where some people can get confused, though. They read verses like Psalm 37:4 and say, "Well, I delight in the Lord, so I should be getting everything I desire." Then, if they don't, they say God doesn't keep His promises. This is why reading verses in context is so important. Because if they read on to verse 5, they'll see that they're supposed to "commit [their] way" to Him and trust in Him.

It's only when we fully commit our lives to Him, surrendering everything to Him that He will give us the desires of our hearts—because His desires will become our desires. We will seek His will, and indeed that He will do.

We serve a personal God who has revealed Himself in part through His creation and through His word. He is ever-present and all-loving. And He delights in giving good things to His children (James 1:17).

Thank Him today. Praise Him for His presence and for His work in your life.

Righteous God (Psalm 145:17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:17

We who follow the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—talk a lot about His being a God of love, grace, and mercy. And so He is. He loves us with an everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). He offers us the unmerited favor of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). He gives undeserved mercy (Luke 1:49-51).

Yet, we can never forget that He is holy and righteous. Holy is defined as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness"; further, righteousness is "acting in accord with divine or moral law" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and He alone is truly holy and righteous, and it is because of His holiness that He cannot abide sin. He must therefore judge that sin.

Our God gives every opportunity for people to come to know Him. For some, He reveals Himself through "general revelation": His very creation (see Romans 1:18-20). For others, they hear truth through God's servants. In any case, those who seek God will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Those who choose to follow Him experience that grace and mercy He showers so abundantly. Those who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one true God face judgment. He must separate Himself from them because His holiness and righteousness cannot exist with their sin.

Yes, God is loving, gracious, and merciful ... and kind. But He is also holy and righteous.

You can experience His love, His grace, His mercy.

Or you can face the rightful judgment of your holy and righteous God.

It's your choice ... but I pray you choose blessing over judgment. Choose to follow God. Choose to experience His grace and forgiveness.

Choose to serve your righteous God.

Our God Cares (Psalm 145:15-160)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:15-16

The Bible assures us that our God takes good care of His children. He provides food, shelter, clothing. He protects from harm. He gives peace and comfort.

But what about those believers in poor countries who live on a cup of rice and a handful of beans each day. Or those who are abused or raped or martyred. Or those who suffer great loss.

Where is God then? Is He really "satisfy[ing] the desire of every living thing"?

I don't know why God does sometimes allows things to happen that cause pain or suffering. I don't know why there are starving people. Or victims of violent crime. Or tragic loss of life.

I do know we live in a fallen world, one that is becoming more and more corrupt and perverted as time as we know it winds down. I do know that sin is rampant. I do know we're in a battle against the enemy of our souls.

And I do know that God is greater than anything, and I do know He will work everything out for good. So even in the most difficult of situations, I know He will provide. He will protect. He will give peace and comfort.

Because I know He's good and loving. And He cares for us.