S) "1 Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!"
Psalm 117:1-2 (NASB)
O) This is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. It is a call to praise so perfect, so simple, that it really just doesn't need any additional words. The word "truth" there can also be translated as "faithfulness" and it sets the tone for this call. We don't praise the LORD out of obligation, but out of celebration! He is faithful and true to us, and His lovingkindness is great toward us, so we praise Him! Also, note that the writer of this Psalm is not simply calling to praise the people of God - Israel. In the prophetic spirit of Christmas, this Psalm declares that the LORD is great to all nations, all people. It is because all nations and people are blessed through Abraham, in Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Savior of the world. This Psalm was written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, but our LORD is eternally good to us. He was good to us before Jesus was born to Mary, because it was always part of God's redemption plan..
A) My first response is to praise Him! My second response is to repeat this Psalm, and call people to praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples! I will spread the gospel, and tell anyone who will listen, about His lovingkindness toward us - all of us - and His true and everlasting faithfulness.
P) Father, thank You for revealing Your character to us. Thank You for Your lovingkindness and faithfulness and truth. Open their eyes to see and ears to hear, and put Your words into my mouth. Help me to manifest the bold spirit, which You have graciously put within me. Open my mouth to praise You, LORD. Let Your will be done with all men. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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