Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2627 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’re on the final leg of our trek through the powerful Psalm 66 in the New Living Translation. We’ve joined the psalmist in calling all the earth to shout joyful praises to God for His awesome deeds and universal power. We’ve reflected on how God preserves and refines His people through trials, bringing them to a place of abundance. Now, in the concluding verses, the psalmist transitions to a deeply personal testimony, inviting others to hear what God has done for him.

This shift from communal praise and historical reflection to individual experience is significant. It reminds us that while God works on a grand scale throughout history and for His entire people, He also intimately engages with each one of us. His power and faithfulness are not just abstract concepts; they are realities played out in the lives of ordinary individuals.

Let’s delve into the final verses of Psalm 66, starting with verse 16:

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist extends a personal invitation: “Come and listen, all you who fear God.” He’s not calling out to just anyone, but to those who already have a reverence and respect for God. This suggests that sharing our personal testimonies is often most impactful among fellow believers, those who can understand and appreciate the hand of God at work. He wants to “tell you what he did for me” – to share his story, his personal encounter with God’s power and grace.

In ancient Israelite culture, sharing personal testimony was a vital part of communal worship and discipleship. It wasn’t about self-promotion, but about magnifying God and encouraging others in their faith. When someone experienced a significant deliverance or saw God answer a specific prayer, they would often publicly declare it, perhaps at the Temple, as a way of giving thanks and bearing witness to God’s faithfulness. Imagine gathering with others who also “fear God,” eager to hear how He has intervened in a fellow traveler’s life. These shared stories would strengthen their collective faith and remind them of God’s ever-present help.

The psalmist recounts his prayer: “For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I prayed.” This paints a picture of a prayer offered in a time of need – a cry for help – but importantly, it was a prayer intertwined with praise. Even in the midst of difficulty, the psalmist maintained a heart of worship, acknowledging God’s character and past faithfulness even as he pleaded for intervention. This is a powerful model for our own prayer lives. Even when we are desperate for help, we can still find reasons to praise God for who He is, trusting in His good nature regardless of our circumstances.

Then comes a profound statement, one that speaks directly to the nature of our relationship with a holy God: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” The word “cherished” here is significant. It implies holding onto sin, harboring it, perhaps even having an affection for it or a reluctance to let it go. It’s not about accidental sin or momentary lapses, but a deliberate choice to cling to known wrongdoing while simultaneously seeking God’s favor.

In the ancient Israelite worldview, sin created a barrier between humanity and a holy God. The sacrificial system was put in place to provide atonement and restore that broken relationship. However, the prophets and the psalmists consistently emphasized that outward rituals were meaningless if the heart was not right with God. A person who was intentionally holding onto sin, who was not genuinely repentant or desirous of living in obedience, could not expect God to hear their prayers. It was a matter of integrity in their relationship with the divine. God desires a sincere heart, one that, while imperfect, is striving to please Him and is willing to turn away from sin.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder for us. If we want to experience God’s attentive ear when we pray, we must be willing to deal honestly with the sin in our lives. Are there areas where we are “cherishing” sin – holding onto it secretly, making excuses for it, or refusing to surrender it to God? Such cherished sin can indeed hinder our connection with Him. Confession and a genuine desire to turn from sin are essential for open communication with a holy God.

The psalmist doesn’t dwell on the possibility of unheeded prayer due to cherished sin. Instead, he moves to a joyful declaration of his experience. Let’s read the final two verses, Psalm 66, verses 19 and 20:

Guthrie Chamberlain: With a triumphant “But truly,” the psalmist affirms the reality of answered prayer in his life. Despite the potential barrier of sin, he testifies that God did listen; He “has attended to the voice of my prayer.” This is the glorious outcome of approaching God with a sincere heart, even in our brokenness. It is a testament to God’s grace and His willingness to hear those who call out to Him in truth.

Think about a time when you poured out your heart to God in prayer, perhaps in a moment of deep need or distress, and you knew, without a doubt, that He heard you. That sense of being heard, of God’s attentive ear, is a profound experience. The psalmist uses the phrase “attended to,” suggesting a focused and caring listening on God’s part. He didn’t just passively hear; He actively paid attention to the psalmist’s plea.

And what is the response to this answered prayer? Unreserved praise! “Praise God, who has not ignored my prayer or withheld his unfailing love from me.” The psalmist’s heart overflows with gratitude. He praises God for two specific things: for not ignoring his prayer and for not withholding His “unfailing love” (hesed).

The concept of God’s “unfailing love” or hesed is central to the Old Testament understanding of God’s character. It speaks to His loyal, steadfast, covenant keeping love – a love that is faithful and enduring, even when His people are not. The psalmist recognizes that it was this unfailing love, not his own perfect righteousness, that ultimately moved God to hear and answer him.

This final declaration ties the personal testimony back to the broader themes of the psalm. The God whose awesome deeds are seen throughout the earth, who rules forever by His power, and who refines His people through trials, is also the God who listens to the personal cries of those who fear Him and extends His unfailing love.

Our own answered prayers, big or small, are opportunities to join the psalmist in this chorus of praise. They are tangible evidence of God’s continued interaction with His people and His personal care for each individual. Sharing these stories, like the psalmist does, not only gives glory to God but also strengthens the faith of those who hear them.

So, on your Wisdom-Trek, don’t keep your experiences with God’s faithfulness to yourself. Share them! Tell others “what he did for me.” Let your life be a living testimony to the God who hears, who refines, and who loves with an unfailing love. And as you pray, remember the importance of a sincere heart, willing to address any cherished sin, so that your communion with the God of the universe can be open and unhindered.

Psalm 66 has taken us on a journey from a universal call to praise to a personal story of deliverance and answered prayer. It reminds us that God is both the majestic, all-powerful Creator and the personal, attentive Father who cares deeply for His children. Let us live lives that reflect the awe and gratitude that flow from knowing such a magnificent and merciful God.

Guthrie Chamberlain: That concludes our three-part trek through Psalm 66. I pray that this exploration has been a blessing to you and has deepened your understanding of God’s power and faithfulness.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!