WHAT'S IN YOUR TENT?

PSALM 118:14-15 NKJ 
14 The Lord is my strength and song, 
And He has become my salvation. 
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation 
Is in the tents of the righteous; 
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 
 

Sometimes I like to take a Psalm and just "hang out" in it for a season.  I have done this with Psalm 34 and this Psalm 118.  The benefit, one of them, is that you allow the Holy Spirit opportunity to show you greater insights.  Another benefit is that these Psalms can give you a framework to praise God with.   

When I was spending time in this Psalm, a verse that stood out to me was verse fifteen. "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous . . ." 

I have done a small amount of tent camping in my life, but one thing I do recall is that you can walk by a tent and hear what's going on inside. Tents are not insulated for sound. Snoring, coughing, singing, arguing. If it's in the tent, you can hear it.   

This verse says the voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. The righteous are those in right standing with God. That would mean those who have received grace and are living for Him. Verse fourteen lets us know that the Lord being our strength and salvation is our song. Our reason for rejoicing. Those who are righteous in God's sight have reasons for rejoicing. Salvation has come, and we are glad.  
 

APPLICATION: 

If the Lord walked past your "tent," what would He hear? What is the dominant voice in your life?   

It's a great question. Jesus said out of the abundance of our heart, our mouth speaks. What's in us will come out of us. If it's complaining and despair, we need to adjust. If it's doubt and fear, we need to recalibrate. Those of us who belong to the Lord have experienced His salvation. And despite the usual challenges of life, we do have a reason to rejoice.   

Paul wrote the church at Phillipi and told them to rejoice in the Lord always. And then he repeated himself, "again I say rejoice." (Philippians 4:4) God has been so gracious to us, so there should be rejoicing in our tents.   
 

PRAYER: 

Father, I rejoice in what You have done for me through Jesus. I once was separated from You, but now I am Your beloved child. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!