Psalms

Psalms 66: God brings His people through trial

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how God brought His people through testing, let us ask Him to search the sins we have cherished. Pray for faith in Jesus and thankful hearts ready to tell of His mercy.

As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.

Zechariah 9:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God rules over His people's trials and hears them through His loving kindness. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The singer calls the whole earth to praise God's awesome deeds and bow before His power. He points to the sea made dry and the river crossed on foot, remembering the deliverance in which God's people rejoiced. The God who watches the nations also preserves His people's lives through testing like silver in a furnace. They endured imprisonment, heavy burdens and crushing oppression, yet God brought them through to abundance. One worshipper then comes with costly burnt offerings to fulfil the vows he made in distress. He invites those who fear God to hear how the Lord answered his prayer, warning against cherished sin and blessing God's unchanged loving kindness.

As you read Psalms 66, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God rules the nations, refines His people through trouble and hears their prayers in loving kindness.

The whole earth is called to honour the God whose power makes even His enemies submit. The dry sea and the river crossed on foot recall the Red Sea and Jordan crossings, deliverances the gathered people claim together. God's watch over the nations means rebellion never escapes His sight or rule. The same power preserves His people's lives through testing pictured as silver refined by heat. Their prison, burdens and humiliation came through human oppressors, yet the prayer confesses God's rule over the ordeal. He brought them through fire and water to abundance, giving them reason for grateful worship. The burnt offerings were wholly consumed, expressing the costly devotion with which the worshipper now fulfils his vows. Cherishing sin means holding it dear and refusing to surrender it, which contradicts an honest appeal to God. The heard prayer ends in praise for God's loving kindness, keeping the credit for mercy with the Lord who gave it.

How does Psalm 66 show us that God rules the nations, refines His people through trouble and hears their prayers in loving kindness?

God's mighty deeds call the whole earth to praise.

The singer invites the nations to see the God who made a way through the waters. His power still rules and His eyes watch them. Rebellion cannot overthrow Him, and His deeds deserve public praise.

God refines His people through trials and brings them through.

The people remember burdens and humiliation as testing under God's hand. Like silver under heat, they were being refined through the ordeal. Their deliverance leads to kept vows and costly thanksgiving.

God hears His people through loving kindness.

The worshipper invites others to hear what God has done for his soul. Cherished sin would contradict his appeal for mercy. He blesses the Lord who heard him and did not turn away His loving kindness.

Memorise

Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor his loving kindness from me.

Psalm 66:20

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I cherishing while asking Jesus for mercy?

The worshipper warns, “If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened.” He then blesses the God who heard his cry. His testimony gives mercy the praise and calls hidden loyalties into the light.

Our sins include the wrongs we have protected while asking God to help us. Jesus bore the punishment owed by His people and died as their substitute. God raised Him from the dead. His people's forgiveness and release from condemnation are fully secured, resting on the atoning work He has completed for them.

Turn from the sin you have defended and come to Jesus in faith. He forgives everyone who seeks Him for mercy. Tell Him what you have kept hidden, and ask Him for a willing heart to leave it. God carries His believing people through trials and gives them His faithful kindness to tell others about.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God rules over His people's trials and hears them through His loving kindness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His loving kindness hears His people and brings them through testing. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”

John 11:42

Lord God, thank You for the mighty deeds by which You saved Your people. Please lead us to Jesus for forgiveness and expose the sins we have been unwilling to leave. Sustain Your people through testing and teach us to keep our promises to You. May our words tell others what Your loving kindness has done. Amen.