Friday, November 27, 2015
Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
IT IS A GOOD THING TO ... GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD!
It's clear that it's the New Man -- that gracious creation of God within us -- that agrees wholeheartedly with these words. It is the New Man that longs for the opportunity to worship and sing the praise of the LORD with fellow Christians. It is truly a good and joyful thing to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to His Name, especially in view of the Cross and empty tomb of Jesus the Christ!
There is still another part of us, the Old Man, that thankless and broken part of us that finds worship tedious and tiring. It's the Old Man that complains that the pastor always says the same thing. It's the Old Man that looks for reasons why we can't make it to church. The Old Man groans, "We just had church yesterday and in a couple more days it will be Sunday." If your congregation offers midweek Advent services, the Old Man will moan about needing a break from church because of the busy work week and holiday season.
The Old Man needs to be put to death daily by contrition (sorrow over sin) and repentance (which also involves God's gift of faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins). Our whole being needs communion (here think of thoughtfully taking in every Word of God and singing praise) with our Creator/Redeemer/Sanctifier God.
It is GOOD to give thanks to the LORD and sing His Praises. In worship our God feeds our faith and equips us for the week to come. We need it, especially in view of the world in which we reside.
