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Psalm 65:1-8b ESV

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.  Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

Oftentimes we come to God to ask, to invite Him to act on our behalf, to seek His forgiveness of our sins, and receive various things that come from God because of His grace and generosity. It is important to learn to regularly come to Him with a focus of praise and thanksgiving.

Verse 1 reminds us that we owe God praise and thanksgiving. Whenever we remember His greatness and His goodness to us, in the same breath, we should ask ourselves, ‘when was the last time I voluntarily and intentionally gave God praise?

Verse 2 reminds us that God answers prayer. We thank Him for every answered prayer for healing and protection in the pandemic, for sustenance and provision in times of scarcity, for forgiveness of sin – that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins, for all time.

Verse 4 highlights that God draws us into a close relationship with Him. We are His sons and daughters, we are co-workers with Him and joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus calls us His friends. On top of all that, He inhabits us in the person of the Holy Spirit. That God in all His holiness would choose to draw sinners to Him in redemptive love, we praise Him and give thanks to Him.

Verse 5 reminds us that He is the God of our salvation, the hope of the ends of the earth. He has opened the eyes of our hearts to know that Jesus is the answer the world needs.  As African Enterprise over the last 60 years, He has given us spiritual gifts and countless opportunities to proclaim the Gospel by word and deed. He has graciously used us to draw many to Himself.

Verse 7-8 reminds us that God can handle anything that comes our way, including raging sea. He therefore remains our confidence as we minister reconciliation in difficult situations. He will continue to be a Rock of refuge from the storm

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