Psalm 95 is a song of praise that we often use in our worship services to celebrate that the Creator has claimed us as his own people. Half-way through, it takes a turn and sounds a warning about "Today." The author of Hebrews tells us that it is always "today." 

Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3).

As I send out this devotion "today," my prayer is that it might encourage you even as I am encouraged when someone replies with a question or comment. This is God's will for us... because it always "today"! 

We continue our reading of Psalms 91-96.

• Psalm 91 - The basis for the hymn "On Eagles' Wing." Claim the comfort of knowing God's angels are standing guard over you.
• Psalm 92 - In the Old Testament, the LORD commanded his people to take one day off per week (the Sabbath) to focus on him. This psalm for the Sabbath shows that this regular time to pause and focus on our Savior is the "fountain of youth" that many have desired over the centuries: "They will still bear fruit in their old age, they will stay fresh and green." Notice that the middle verse - often the theme verse of the psalm - is "But you, LORD, are forever exalted." May our worship always lift high the LORD's saving name. 
• Psalm 93 - A psalm to read over and over when you feel like you are overwhelmed with the roaring seas in your life. The LORD reigns!
• Psalm 94 - The LORD knows the thoughts of a person. He knows the plans of the wicked. He knows the fears of his people. "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul... the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
• Psalm 95 - "Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart." Learn from the mistakes of our spiritual ancestors.
• Psalm 96 - The first of a number of psalms that remind us God's plan of salvation in the Old Testament included all people. "Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns.'"

That missionary spirit is present in our New Testament lesson. After we follow Jesus to the empty tomb of Easter by daily Bible reading, it is always Today, the day to be his witnesses to those around us. Read Luke 24:36-53. 

Luke ends his Gospel with a tie to the entire Old Testament. The threefold division of the Hebrew Old Testament is "The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms" (or Writings). It is a reminder that the Old Testament we read today is the same that Jesus used... and the appropriate way to read  the Old Testament is always to look for Jesus in it... In the Old Testament the Spirit testified about the Messiah. 

The disciples waited for the promise of the Father... the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. When we resume our reading of Acts tomorrow, we will see in Ephesus in Acts 19 another fulfillment of that promise as the Holy Spirit comes on followers of John the Baptist. The outpouring of the Spirit confirmed that Jesus is the promised Messiah that John foretold.