May 12: God answers His people with awe-inspiring works

Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion; vows to You will be fulfilled. All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer. Iniquities overwhelm me; only You can atone for our rebellions. How happy is the one You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple. You answer us in righteousness, with awe- inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. (Psalm 65:1-5 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)

To know the true God and His Son Jesus Christ is the most important thing in all the world. But this knowledge is not gained simply by reading this one year devotional, or even reading the Bible itself. The intellect and mind need to be involved in gaining this knowledge, but the most important part is experience with God. This experience comes through faith and trust and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the verses above, God is praised as the One we obey and to whom we fulfill our vows. It is He that atoned for our rebellious ways. He saved us from the fate of suffering for our sins.

But look at what happens when we really know God — when we have an experience with Him! He hears our prayers, He forgives our sins, He brings us near to live in His courts. He fills our lives with good things, and He answers us with awe-inspiring works and miracles. This is not religion, not what most people call Christianity — this is the glorious reality of knowing God and His Son Jesus! This is what living in the courts of God is; this is what being a part of God’s family means!

The man God chooses to come near and live in His courts is blessed, says the writer of this Psalm. That can be you, or anyone who lets go of his sin and pride, and puts his trust in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. When you choose Jesus, God chooses you! He is delighted to bring you into His family as a son or daughter. He is happy to give you the privileges and blessings that belong to the children of God.

No matter where you are or what you’ve done, He is the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. At the end of this passage God makes a point of saying there is hope for those who are on the fringes of society, who are far from Him, who have drifted far from what they know is right, who feel they have made too many mistakes and are beyond hope. Whether this is you, or a family member, or a friend, God challenges us to believe that there is help for those who seem to be impossible cases. Go against your feelings, and boldly latch on to God’s promise.