"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Psalm 98
Daily Nugget:
“A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.” Psalm 98:1
Those in the Old Testament did not have Jesus to follow and could not trust His shed blood to cover their sins. However, their behavior and beliefs changed when they turned to and trusted God.
Today, similar changes also occur in those that have been saved. Their lives will change. They will sing a “new song” rather than the previous cry of hopelessness and moanings from the burden of sin that bound and robbed them of their joy.
A born-again child of God has many “new things” and changes when they trust Christ as their personal Saviour. Some of the “new” changes in their lives are:
- A new joy, happiness, and purpose. Being born-again is wonderful. It comes with new chances in life with great joy and happiness.
“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods” Psalms 96: 96:1-3
"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." Psalms 40:3 Also Psalms 33:3, 40:3, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1.
- A new birth. When one becomes a child of God, he has a new spiritual birth. He is a different creature.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3: 3
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1: 23
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17 - A new heart. God gives, along with salvation, a new heart with new desires, purposes, and goals.
“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11: 17-20 These verses were written about the people of Israel, but the principle can be applied to us.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 - A new outlook. Life is seen differently. Life looks a lot different when one is saved, educated from the Word of God, and obedient to it. Activities and actions of the past now may appear contrary to God’s commands and harmful rather than “fun.” The “old, dead” Bible now becomes alive and helpful.
“Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.” Isaiah 46: 6 - A new life (a new mind). Along with other new blessings comes the “mind of Christ,” which thinks much differently than it did before the new birth.
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:22-27
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10 - A new day filled with second chances and other opportunities. Just as a new day brings fresh opportunities and expectations, God gives the born-again person a second chance in life.
“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 - A New Testament, a new covenant, and new promises. A “testament” is a document declaring the will and desires of a person. The New Testament God gave man is not only part of the Bible, but it is His will and the new covenant (commitments or promises) He made with man. It tells of God’s will for man in this church age.
“And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mat. 26:27-28
“And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Mark 14: 24 - A new world. One day God will destroy this world, and a new one will descend.
“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered.” Isaiah 65:7
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Rev. 21:1 Also: II Pet. 3:3.
Today’s Thought:
“Don't look back. You're not going sin that direction! You have a new destination!” — Author Unknown
Words to Understand:
Equity: having rules, morals, and standards
Today’s Reading:
Psalm 98
1 A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 ¶ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.