Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!

Psalm 66:5

Psalm 66 celebrates God’s glory as it is revealed in his mighty works. This celebration is meant, not just for God’s chosen people, but also for “all the earth” (66:1).

Yet, how are those who have not known the Lord going to perceive and praise his glory? We find an answer in Psalm 66:5, where the Psalmist says to all peoples: “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” Then the psalm gives examples of God’s deeds, focusing most of all on the events of the Exodus. The final verses of the psalm (16-20) focus on what God did for the psalmist himself.

Today, we are in a position much like the writer of Psalm 66. As we celebrate God’s glory, we realize that the whole world should be invited into our celebration. We do this by saying, in a sense, “Come and see!” Like the psalmist, we point to what God has done in history. Of course, unlike the psalm writer, we are able to highlight the marvelous work of God in Jesus Christ. Then, like the psalmist, we bear witness to what God has done in our own lives as we have experienced his grace through Christ. In our testimony, we aren’t pummeling people with the truth or trying to force them into faith, as if this were even possible. Rather, we are honestly, humbly pointing to what God has done in history and in our own lives. Our message is not, “You must believe this or else” but rather, “Come and see!”

Of course, this invitation is much more enticing if what people “see” is not only the historic work of God, but also a demonstration of that work in the life of God’s people. When the church lives its faith, then the world will be open to hearing what we have to say.

It’s important to note that “Come and see!” doesn’t only mean, “Come to church.” Yes, when Christians gather for worship there should a visible demonstration of God’s grace, in our songs and prayers, in our preaching and sacraments, in our mutual encouragement and love.

Yet, we should be able to say “Come and see!” to those who might never darken the door of a church. Come and see how I work! Come and see how Christ makes a difference in my office, my shop, or my classroom! Come and see the love of Christ made visible in my neighborhood or at the local homeless shelter! If we are living the gospel each day, then people don’t have to come very far to see the difference Christ makes.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

In what ways can you say to your friends, “Come and see!”?

In your life, and in the life of your Christian community, where is there evidence of God’s grace at work?

How might God be visible in your daily work?

PRAYER:

Gracious God, the enthusiasm of Psalm 66 for your glory reminds us, first of all, of just how glorious you are. You have made your glory known in the wonder of creation, in the beauty of life, and most of all through your saving deeds. How we praise you today for the riches of your glory . . . and for lavishing those riches upon us.

I’m also reminded, Lord, of my responsibility to say to others, “Come and see!” Help me to be faithful, even eager, to invite those who don’t know you to consider your works. Help me to live my life in such a way that people can see your power in me, especially in my workplace. And may my church be a community that bears witness to your glory, not only in our words, but also in our deeds in the world, in all we do.

All praise and glory be to you, wondrous God! Amen.

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online commentary: Come and Listen!