Briefing: When I took my state test for my law enforcement certification, I was actually ready. I paid attention in class and studied. I had taken it very seriously. The day of the test I was prepared and confident. I passed.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 96.

On the Street: What do you have confidence in? Was it a sport or activity you did in high school or college? Are you confident in your ability to perform your job?

The author of this psalm was confident in his relationship with God. We must also be confident in our relationship with Him. Relationships take time to develop. I spent years reading and studying God’s Word so I could better know and understand who He was. The more I knew Him, the stronger our relationship grew. This takes time but that is why it is called a journey.

Relationships are not always easy. They take time and effort. The more time and effort you put into a relationship, the greater and stronger it usually develops. If you want to do well on a test, you have to read and study the material until you know it. The better you know it, the better you will do on the test. Sometimes you have to know the material well enough that if the test question is asked differently than you expected, you will still be familiar enough with the subject that you can know the correct response.

If a SWAT team only has an address and brief description of the front of a house, do you think that is enough information to make a dynamic entry? Team leaders will want more information. Is it a single dwelling or a duplex, one story or multiple levels? Are there windows on the front of the house? Does the house have side windows and doors? What about back doors? Does it share a back yard with another house, and are there dogs in the yard? It is hard to have the kind of confidence you need without the kind of information you need.

Confidence in the relationship with God is the key to this psalm. The author had an obviously strong faith and trust in God. In verse 2 he says, “Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.” It is hard to tell others about salvation if you are not confident in your own salvation. The relationship must be nurtured and grown. You have to share the joy with others and that is what is being done in this psalm.

Verse 3 says, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Are you recognizing the marvelous deeds He has performed in your life? The blessings are there; who are you giving credit to, God or yourself? Are you declaring His glory or are you claiming it as your own?

“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.” How often do you praise Him? We all need to be reminded of this act of worship; praise Him.

The psalmist writes in verse 10, “Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.” This is where your faith is tested. Are you bold and courageous enough to go tell your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow officers, “The LORD reigns”? This is an act of worship, an act of glorifying God. It is your witness and testimony to being a child of God.

This psalmist was confident in his relationship with God. The last verse says, “Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faith.” Only someone with confidence and faith in God will stand up and joyfully proclaim, God comes to judge. My life is His through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Because I am covered by the blood of Jesus, I have been counted as righteous and am ready to be judged by God the Father. “Jesus answered, “I AM the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

Investigational Resources: John 14:5-14.

Officer Safety Principle: Are you confident in your relationship with God?

from Psalms Through the Eyes of a Cop, Volume 2
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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