A Personal Reflection God’s Amazing Love Revealed in Psalm 66:20
This week I led worship for a house group meeting at Trinity Church in Perth, Scotland. At these gatherings, they ask me to come with my Gospel songbooks, take requests and “let the Spirit lead”. And lead HE does. We began with some old favorites such as “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” And “I’ll Fly Away”. We also shared a time of prayer and reading from the Psalms.
Todays was Psalm 66. I love it!
Psalm 66
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”
5 Come and see what God has done,
his awesome deeds for mankind!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
8 Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
11 You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, [then] the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
I love the entire chapter, but the last verse truly grabbed my heart. 💙
Psalm 66:20: “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”
This verse encapsulates a powerful truth that I often need to remind myself of, especially in moments of uncertainty and struggle.
Like many followers of Jesus, there have been times in my life when I’ve felt that my prayers were falling on deaf ears. I’ve cried out to God, wrestling with doubts and wondering if He truly hears me. Yet, Psalm 66:20 reassures me that God is always listening. It’s a comforting reminder that I am not alone in my struggles—that my cries for help are met with His attentive love.
When I think about God not withholding His love, I’m reminded of the eternal nature of His affection. It’s easy to feel unworthy or to think that we have to earn His favor through our actions. But this verse tells me that God’s love is a gift—ever-present, regardless of where I find myself in life.
Psalm 66:18 provides clear guidance on how to ensure that God hears our prayers: if I cherish sin in my heart—if I tolerate or indulge in wrongdoing—then God will not listen to my prayers. This verse highlights the need for a sincere and repentant heart, reminding us that unconfessed sin can create a barrier between us and God. Yet, it also assures us that when we seek genuine reconciliation, God is always willing to listen, inviting us to align our lives with His will.
Yet, not all unanswered prayers result from sin on our side. A story from the Bible that illustrates this beautifully is the account of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Hannah was desperate for a child and faced deep anguish as she prayed earnestly to God. Despite her sorrow, she continued to bring her pleas before Him. In her darkest moments, she did not give up hope. God heard her prayers and eventually blessed her with a son, Samuel. This story reminds me that God listens to our heartfelt cries and responds with love, often in ways we cannot anticipate.
Understanding God’s Timing
A crucial aspect of this relationship is recognizing that while God may withhold immediate answers to our prayers, He never withholds His love. His timing often differs from our own, and in the waiting, He invites us to grow in faith and trust. This truth can be difficult to accept, but it offers profound peace.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once shared an insightful analogy about God’s love in the midst of unanswered prayers. He likened it to a father who gives his child a toy, only to take it away when it’s being misused. The father’s action isn’t an act of rejection; rather, it’s a demonstration of love, protecting the child from harm. Spurgeon reminded us that God sometimes withholds what we desire, not out of malice, but out of a deeper love that seeks our ultimate good. This perspective encourages me to view God’s silence not as abandonment but as an invitation to trust in His greater wisdom. This truth challenges me to nurture a spirit of gratitude. I want to praise God not just for the times He answers my prayers in the ways I expect, but also for the moments when I feel His presence in silence. Those times can be just as transformative, teaching me patience and trust.
As I reflect on this verse, I’m reminded that prayer is not just about asking for help; it’s about deepening my relationship with God. Each prayer is an opportunity to connect with Him, to share my joys and sorrows, and to feel His love surrounding me.
Psalm 66:20 teaches me to celebrate the relationship I have with God. It empowers me to trust that He hears me and loves me, even when I can’t see the answers I seek. I encourage you to hold onto this truth as well: God is always near, ready to listen and love you unconditionally. Let’s take a moment to praise Him for that incredible gift!
But don’t just hear it from me, let’s Gods word speak to you on his unfailing love for his people.
Here are five Bible verses that highlight God’s unwavering goodness and love:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” – Psalm 84:11
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
One of my favorite songs to sing about God’s love is from UK Worship Leader and song writer Graham Kendrick. Enjoy “Amazing Love”:
As you reflect on Psalm 66:20, take a moment to consider how God’s love and faithfulness have been evident in your life, even during times of unanswered prayers. Have there been moments when His timing felt difficult to understand but later revealed His greater purpose? When have you felt closest to God during a season of waiting or struggle, and how did He show His love for you in those moments? I’d love to hear your stories of how prayer has deepened your relationship with Him and reminded you of His unfailing love. Share your reflections in the comments below—I’m sure they will encourage others!
