LifeLink Devotional

Monday, October 23, 2017

Psalms 106:2  Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

Here’s a lifelong challenge – try to keep an accurate and up-to-date list of the mighty acts of God on your behalf.

Here’s an even greater challenge – try to fully declare the praise of His mightiest act: your salvation.

I find that the times I come closest to fully declaring the praise of my Savior is during a worship service that celebrates the Lord’s Supper. I remember one specific service in our church several years ago. I was again overwhelmed during that service with the wonder of my salvation.

We sang about the glory of God and His holiness, and then entered into our communion service by singing The Old Rugged Cross. I was brought to tears of brokenness and rejoicing that Jesus had died to save me from my sins.

Then, our youth drama team performed a mime to the song Watch the Lamb. I couldn’t look at the cross being carried in. I was not deserving of His gift of love, and I was again overwhelmed with His grace. While partaking of the bread and the cup in memory of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the words of the song When I Survey the Wondrous Cross that was being sung again brought me to tears. I hesitated before eating the bread and drinking the cup as the Holy Spirit moved me to a deeper level of appreciation and gratitude for what Jesus did.

At that point, I had to stand up and lead the congregation in prayer. With broken voice and tears flowing down my face, all I could say was “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I could not find words to express the magnitude of love and gratitude I was feeling.

Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise?

With one tongue and one voice I cannot fully express the splendor of salvation from sin. I am reminded of the old hymn entitled O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, which is Charles Wesley’s confession that he too cannot fully declare the praise that God deserves. Read the words of this song carefully and seek to fully praise the mighty act of God that provided your salvation.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

I wonder how many people participate in communion services and for them it is nothing more than a routine experience that has little or no significance to them? Has church become routine to you, or do you still get overwhelmed with the joy of your salvation when you consider the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins on the cross of Calvary?

The Psalmist’s admission that there are not enough words to fully declare the praises of the Lord is not our justification for silence. Praise Him with the words you have, and then pray for a thousand more.

Pastor John