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1 All together now - applause for God! 2 Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. 3 Say of God, "We've never seen anything like him!" When your enemies see you in action, they slink off like scolded dogs. 4 The whole earth falls to its knees - it worships you, sings to you, can't stop enjoying your name and fame. 5 Take a good look at God's wonders - they'll take your breath away. 6 He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn't that cause for a song? 7 Ever sovereign in his high tower, he keeps his eye on the godless nations. Rebels don't dare raise a finger against him. 8 Bless our God, O peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! 9 Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch? 10 He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, 11 Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, 12 Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place. (Psalm 66:1-12 The Message Bible)
I don't know about other states, but Texas on Friday nights is the noisest night of all nights. And Saturday is a close second. There are crowds and noise, noise and crowds. There's bright lights and music, streamers, sometimes flowers as mums, sashes, bands, halftime entertainment, and cheers! Lots of cheers, so much so that they have leaders of cheers! At least in the autumn of the year. Sunday morning, while still being, for the most part, the most segregated hour of the week, and of course, it depends where you happen to find yourself on any Sunday morning, tends to be quiet and reserved; some places are exceptions, but for the most part, quiet and reserve is the norm of most places on Sunday. It's all based on who's playing and who's winning. Am I right? If it's your team up against your rival, them the sound is amped up. And nothing anyone or anything can do will quiet you down.
The psalmist knows about crowds and noises; and he knows real battles, having battled everything from wolves, lions, bears and giants, and countless Jebusites, and Philistines; he also knows God, to Whom he says, "All together now - applause for God!"
His call is for all the earth is summoned to make noise for God, to celebrate His glory with songs and applause. This isn't quiet, reserved, proper religion. This is full-throated, hands-clapping, joy-erupting praise. But what drives this kind of exuberant worship? The psalmist answers by pointing to God's track record of doing the impossible—parting seas, preserving His people through dangers, and ultimately bringing them through to freedom. The psalm invites us to look back at what God has done and let that history fuel our present worship.
But then the psalm takes a surprising turn into difficulty: "He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back." This is honest acknowledgment that God's deliverance often comes through, not around, suffering. God doesn't always remove obstacles—sometimes He walks us through them. The refining fire isn't punishment; it's purification. The hardscrabble country isn't abandonment; it's training. The road-testing isn't cruelty; it's preparation for something better. God permits difficulty not to destroy us but to develop us, burning away what's false and strengthening what's real.
The psalm's climax comes with stunning relief: "Finally he brought us to this well-watered place." After the fires and the hell-and-back journey, God doesn't leave us in the wilderness. He brings us through to abundance, to a place of refreshment and provision. This is the pattern of God's redemptive work throughout Scripture—through the Red Sea to the Promised Land, through the cross to resurrection, through death to life. The difficulties aren't the destination; they're the path to something far better. Our trials have a terminus. Our testing has a purpose. Our pain has a payoff.
What does this mean for us today? It means we can worship even in the middle of hardship because we know the character of the God who's leading us. He's the God who "didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love." It means our current struggles aren't evidence of God's absence but often evidence of His refining presence. And it means we can trust that the God who brought others through fire to freedom is the same God who will bring us through. Our job isn't to understand every step or enjoy every moment—it's to keep walking, keep trusting, and keep our eyes fixed on the One who specializes in bringing people to well-watered places after desert journeys.
PRAYER: Loving God, when we're in the refining fire and hardscrabble country, help us trust that You're not leaving us there—You're leading us through to a well-watered place, and every difficulty is part of Your faithful plan to bring us to abundance. Grant us deep joy for praise, for You are worthy; in Christ Jesus' strong name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, look back at a past difficulty in your life and thank God specifically for how He brought you through it, letting that memory fuel your trust in whatever challenge you're currently facing. And also, make noise!
I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Make your life count as you make noise for God!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
