My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, or your deeds of salvation all day long, though their number is past my knowledge. — Psalm 71:15 NRSV
When I was young, I hated the book of Psalms. There were no stories, no history – just a bunch of poetry that didn’t sound very poetic at all. As an adult, though, I can’t read enough of the Psalms! It amazes me how the authors of the Psalms can effortlessly switch from adoration to thanksgiving to supplication, and back again! I still like the stories and the history, but I kinda see the Psalms now as an instruction manual for worship and prayer.
This particular verse, however, spoke to me in an unusual way as I was preparing for tomorrow’s lesson. You see, as a Youth Minister, it’s kinda my job to tell of God’s righteous acts and deeds of salvation. How many times, though, do I do that all day long? As a Christian, it’s kinda my job to tell everyone of God’s righteous acts and deeds of salvation…everywhere. Not just in front of a bunch of teenagers on Wednesday night and Sunday morning.
I reflect pretty often on the awesome things that He has done for me, but I’m not supposed to keep those things inside of me. I should be sharing those things with everyone around me so that they, too will know how awesome and wonderful and loving our God is. I like the way this verse ends by pointing out that we don’t even know all the things He’s done for us.
Lord,
Give me the courage to tell those around me of your righteous acts and deeds of salvation. You are so good to me, even beyond what I am aware. I want my love and excitement for You to fill me to the point that it has no where to go, but to spill out onto the people I come into contact with. Father, bring people into my path that need to feel Your love. Bring people that need to hear of Your saving grace. I know that I cannot do anything, but through Your power. Thank-you for Your faithfulness, and thank-you for loving a sinner such as I. Amen.