“O God, we have heard with our ears,
our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days,
in the days of old:
you with your own hand drove out the nations,
but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples,
but them you set free;
for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them.
You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation!
Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever.” Psalm 44:1-8
God had proven faithful through years and generations. Recounting the history of His people, God’s hand delivered performance after performance to display His might and the light of His face. From driving out to planting, affliction to freedom, conquest to delight to salvation, the Lord on high showed Himself glorious and victorious again and again. His boast was the psalmist’s rhythm and refrain.
The fact of God’s ongoing faithfulness to perform according to His character and will gives great hope and assurance to the believer. All He has been He will ever be. His majesty, wisdom, stature, and strength do not wane, nor do His love and goodness waver. His nature, attributes, and benevolent intentions do not change, His holy purposes stand forever. (Psalm 33:11; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17)
Have we heard of His goodness? When are we reading His word, and inquiring of His people to learn of His strong arm through the ages? How are we recording and telling His gracious and majestic performances? In what ways has the reality of His constancy, steadfast love, and encore performances emboldened our faith and sweetened our praise?
The more we know the whats and hows and whens of divine performances, the more expectant we will be to watch for and trust them again. What are some recent acts of compassion, protection, deliverance, inspiration, assurance, comfort, or direction God has done for us? When we make it our practice to seek His hand, record His interventions and surprise displays of providence, then thank God, we develop anticipation for the encore.
“Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.” ~ Thomas Chisholm (1923)
Lord, may I ever offer grateful ovation for Your great and gracious deeds.
As the rain and snow 