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“Do good, O LORD, to [those who are] good, And to [those who are] upright in their hearts.” Psalms 125:4 (NKJV)
“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are very glad.” Psalms 126:3 (NCV)
GOD IS GOOD TO US!
Throughout the Psalms, human emotion is laid bare, as David, Anselm, Moses, and other 
poets alternate among pain and suffering, on the one hand, and joyful praise and worship, on the other.
The sum total is that our earthly lives can be difficult (the result of falling out of God’s favor), yet rays of God’s goodness and mercy shine upon us (like the sun’s rays piercing a cloudy sky).
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WHEN TROUBLE STRIKES, we are to call on the Lord. When fortune envelopes us, we are to give praise to the Lord.
The Bible says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13 ESV)
In another place, the Bible says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
Paul tells us that he has experienced the full gamut of what life offers, from hunger to plenty, from sickness to health, from cold to comfort. Through it all, he never fails to thank God for His everlasting goodness. Here’s his voice: “I am not saying this because I am in 
need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11 NIV)
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IN OUR PASSAGE TEXT, the psalmist calls out to the Lord to provide richness and mercy to those who call on His name by virtue of their good standing.
While it’s an Old Testament tribute to salvation through good works (obeying the Law), it’s still a plea for the Almighty to smile graciously on those who love Him. Shortly afterward, we read that God “has done great things for us,” and we recognize it and rejoice in the Lord’s benevolence.
Those of us who are believers in the Lord, can claim this promise from Revelation 21:4 (NIV): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Indeed, the Lord has done — is doing, and will do — great things.
Let us rejoice!
~PRAYER~
O FATHER GOD, our Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You have made us in Your image and 
for Your glory. We rejoice that you who have made us neither slumber nor sleep but keep watch over us day and night, reassuring us that no one can snatch us from Your hand. We know that You are with us when the times are troubling and when they are pleasant; when we are broken and hurting, and when we are at peace and feel blessed. O Lord, Your steadfast love endures forever. We will wait on the Lord and be renewed like eagles. May Your face continue to shine upon us. In Jesus’ almighty name, AMEN
QUESTIONS:
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- Is it difficult for you to imagine an eternal God who is bigger than the universe who also cares about you individually and knows everything about you?
- Can you trust His word, as revealed in the Holy Bible, that He loves you and wants a personal relationship with you? Can you accept that He wants you to place your trust in Him, and that, if you do, He will give you freely a life that stretches into eternity?
- If you haven’t accepted His invitation to grace, can you do that now? All you need to do is confess your sins to Him, repent of your sinful life, and ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart as captain of your soul. The words are less important than the total surrender.
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