That’s My God ~ Psalm 65
Each year I try to read through the Psalms at least once. Laden with truth and rich in expression, I find that so often the cry of the Psalmist’s heart is also mine. Prayers abound that we may echo. Feelings which we often struggle to articulate are given words. But best of all, the constant theme of trust and praise reminds me to look up and hope in the Lord.
One of the things I have come to love about the Psalms is how gloriously they present the character of our God. I’m learning that when I face anxiety, fear, or overwhelm—whether it be about the future or some stressor in the present—I need to place my trust again in Who God is. You see, these are not just nice facts to know about a far-off God. He has been all of this to me, and He will be all of these to any of His children who will let Him. I’m finding Him to be wonderfully true to His word, and the more I gaze on Him, the more the things of this world pale in comparison to His changeless beauty.
It’s my prayer that this post will be a help to your meditation on the Lord. And that as you read, your heart will be comforted and encouraged and your confidence will increase as you come more and more to know Whom you have believed!
“Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.”
The One Who Hears Prayer
“O Thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.”
Is not this one of the greatest things that sets apart the One True God of the Bible from all other gods? He is alive. He lives, hears, and answers our prayers.
He heard the cry of Hagar, as she lay in the wilderness watching her child die of thirst. He heard the plea of Hannah’s broken heart as she yearned for a baby; the desperate prayer of Hezekiah for the defense of Israel; the weeping and fasting of Nehemiah for the broken walls of Jerusalem. He gave heed to the cry of the lepers, blind Bartimaeus, and Simon Peter as he began to sink beneath the waves.
And He will hear the prayer of His children today also. You have His promise on it.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry (Psalms 40:1).
The One Who Purges Our Transgressions
“Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.”
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25).
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:12)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.“
The One Who Does Terrible Things
“By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:”
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth (Psalms 47:2).
He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen (Deuteronomy 10:21).
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee (Psalms 66:3).
In a world growing darker by the day, God’s people can live without fear. His power is far above any on this earth. He will someday judge in righteousness, defeat His enemies, and reign forever!
The One Who is Righteous
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright (Psalms 11:7).
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful (Psalms 116:5).
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The One Who is the Confidence of All the Ends of the Earth
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge (Proverbs 14:26).
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (Proverbs 3:26).
We can live our lives with a holy confidence in our God, because He alone is worthy of it. Confidence in a political leader, money, or your own abilities will eventually let you down. Our hope is in the Lord Who made heaven and earth!
The One Who is Strong and Powerful
“Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:“
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God (Psalms 62:11).
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore (Psalms 105:4).
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul (Psalms 138:3).
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite (Psalms 147:5).
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength (Isaiah 40:29).
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
The One Who Stills the Noise of the Sea and Waves, and the Tumult of the People
“Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.“
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain (Psalms 76:10).
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still (Psalms 107:29).
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:36-41).
When Jesus calmed the storm, it was a wonderful proof of His deity. Throughout the Old Testament, God was often revealed as the One Who controls the waves of the sea. And my friend, if He could quiet that storm, then He can still yours.
“They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.“
The One Who Provides
“Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.“
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:25-31, 33).
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
The One Who provides so abundantly for nature will provide much more for His own beloved children.
The One Who Blesses
“Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers; thou blessest the springing thereof.“
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah (Psalms 68:19).
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great (Psalms 115:13).
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield (Psalms 5:12).
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace (Psalms 29:11).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
How has He blessed you today?
The One Who is Good
“Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.“
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes (Psalms 119:68).
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD (Psalms 33:5).
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way (Psalms 25:8).
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations (Psalms 100:5).
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
“They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.“
All nature is alive with the joy and praise of its Creator, shaming the silence of His blood-bought children. There is no other God like unto ours, Whose mercies are new every morning! Whatever your circumstance, He is bigger. Whatever your need, He is sufficient. Whatever your unfulfilled desire, He is better. May our lives and our lips show forth His goodness!
Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art;
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart.
Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need;
Compasseth me round with blessings, Thine is love indeed!
Jesus, I am Resting, Resting ~ Jean Pigott
Photo by Gloriana
