[Bible Verse]
Psalm 42:8
By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
[My reflections]
Samuel was a son Hannah received after prayer (I Samuel 1:27). She had been provoked by her rival Peninnah, because she had been barren. Hannah prayed to the Lord in anguish and her prayer was finally answered. As she promised to the Lord in her prayer, she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord. Growing up in the house of the Lord, Samuel became a man of prayers from his youth and none of his words “fell to the ground” (I Samuel 3:19), because God listened to him. Samuel even considered it a sin against the Lord to fail to pray for Israel (I Samuel 12:23). We should also know that it is God’s will in Christ Jesus for us to pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
On the day Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord, she offered up a prayer of praise (I Samuel 2:1-10). The entire prayer is a praise song, exalting God’s authority and His deliverance. Just like Hannah, we can see that often some of the exemplary figures in the Bible offered prayers of praise. Each day the psalmist remembered the love and mercy God extended to him during the day and sang about it in his prayer at night (Psalm 42:8). Nehemiah’s prayer was that the Lord would be attentive to those who delight in revering His name (Nehemiah 1:11). Even our Lord Jesus taught us to begin our prayer with hallowing of the Lord’s name. We can see that praise is an essential part of the prayer.
Just as our prayer is our word we offer up to the Lord, our praise may be considered our word offered up to the same Lord, but with music added. For both prayer and praise, the person to whom we offer them is the same Lord God. To say that we should sing our praises with a heart of prayer means to realize to whom we are lifting up our praises and to sing or play instruments with all our hearts, all our souls, all our spirits, all our bodies and all our strength. My prayer is that each and every day of my life is a day of praise offered up in that way.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
From Mara to Naomi
[Bible Verses]
Ruth 4:14-17
The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
[My Reflections]
In the book of Ruth, we read about not only Ruth, but also her mother-in-law Naomi. Naomi went from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine. While in Moab, she lost both her husband and two sons and was left with her daughter-in-law Ruth only. Naomi did not want to be called Naomi any longer, since the name meant ‘joy.’ Instead in sadness and despair, she asked to be called Mara, meaning ‘bitterness’ (Ruth 1:20). That is the same name that the Israelites gave to a wellspring that they found in the wilderness, but could not drink from because of the bitterness of the water there (Exodus 15:23).
In this life, we often encounter a similar circumstance that leaves us frustrated and in despair. We cannot always explain or rationalize why that happens. We cannot understand or comprehend why that has to happen to us. Or, even when we can rationalize it, it may not help us get out of the situation.
Instead of rationalization, what we should do in such a circumstance is to remember that our Lord God can change despair to joy and turn Mara back to Naomi and to cry out to Him for help. Indeed, God led Ruth to meet her kinsman-redeemer Boaz and bear a son for Naomi. This son was Obed, who turned out to be the grandfather of King David. Naomi’s bitterness had changed to joy and blessing (Ruth 4:13-17). Likewise, when Moses threw a piece of wood that the Lord showed him, the bitter water of Mara became sweet and drinkable (Exodus 15:25).
The joy that the Lord gives to us is eternal unlike the bitterness we may experience fleetingly. The glory that the Lord will bestow on us is incomparably superior to any sufferings and dishonor we may go through in this life (Romans 8:18). It is a blessing for us to put our hope in the Lord (Psalm 146:5, I Timothy 6:17).
Ruth 4:14-17
The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
[My Reflections]
In the book of Ruth, we read about not only Ruth, but also her mother-in-law Naomi. Naomi went from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine. While in Moab, she lost both her husband and two sons and was left with her daughter-in-law Ruth only. Naomi did not want to be called Naomi any longer, since the name meant ‘joy.’ Instead in sadness and despair, she asked to be called Mara, meaning ‘bitterness’ (Ruth 1:20). That is the same name that the Israelites gave to a wellspring that they found in the wilderness, but could not drink from because of the bitterness of the water there (Exodus 15:23).
In this life, we often encounter a similar circumstance that leaves us frustrated and in despair. We cannot always explain or rationalize why that happens. We cannot understand or comprehend why that has to happen to us. Or, even when we can rationalize it, it may not help us get out of the situation.
Instead of rationalization, what we should do in such a circumstance is to remember that our Lord God can change despair to joy and turn Mara back to Naomi and to cry out to Him for help. Indeed, God led Ruth to meet her kinsman-redeemer Boaz and bear a son for Naomi. This son was Obed, who turned out to be the grandfather of King David. Naomi’s bitterness had changed to joy and blessing (Ruth 4:13-17). Likewise, when Moses threw a piece of wood that the Lord showed him, the bitter water of Mara became sweet and drinkable (Exodus 15:25).
The joy that the Lord gives to us is eternal unlike the bitterness we may experience fleetingly. The glory that the Lord will bestow on us is incomparably superior to any sufferings and dishonor we may go through in this life (Romans 8:18). It is a blessing for us to put our hope in the Lord (Psalm 146:5, I Timothy 6:17).
Friday, December 18, 2009
Caroling
Earlier tonight, I heard an unexpected door bell. It was past 10 PM and I wasn't expecting anyone to come. Who could be ringing the doorbell? Should I even bother to answer it? Somewhat half-willingly, I went downstairs to the door. On the other side of the door, I could see a bunch of giggling teenagers. They were debating whether to stay or move on. When I opened the door, they instantly began to sing. "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the way ... " Their music was slightly out of sync and tune, but nevertheless full of joy and happiness. The lyrics were not even Christian necessarily, but their happiness reminded me of the happiness and joy I used to have when I caroled. When I clapped after the finish, they burst into laughters and thanked me and wished merry Christmas. What wonderful kids!
It has been so long since I last caroled or had a visit of carolers. I think the last time was when I was in college -- maybe some thirty years ago -- other than the one time we sang at a couple of nursing homes maybe 6-7 years ago. Wow, it has been that long! It didn't have to be that long, but I just haven't had a chance to carol door to door.
Caroling is such a wonderful tradition, but it has somehow faded into memory, into something of the yesteryears.
Caroling is a proclamation of the Savior's birth. It is a proclamation of the reason for joy and happiness. It is a proclamation of the good news, the gospel. It began with the singing of the heavenly angels and the heavenly host:
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)
I have an urge to sing of His birth. I have an itch to sing praises to Him. Indeed,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!
It has been so long since I last caroled or had a visit of carolers. I think the last time was when I was in college -- maybe some thirty years ago -- other than the one time we sang at a couple of nursing homes maybe 6-7 years ago. Wow, it has been that long! It didn't have to be that long, but I just haven't had a chance to carol door to door.
Caroling is such a wonderful tradition, but it has somehow faded into memory, into something of the yesteryears.
Caroling is a proclamation of the Savior's birth. It is a proclamation of the reason for joy and happiness. It is a proclamation of the good news, the gospel. It began with the singing of the heavenly angels and the heavenly host:
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)
I have an urge to sing of His birth. I have an itch to sing praises to Him. Indeed,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!
Victory already won
[Bible verses]
Judges 7:9-15
During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."
His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
Jeremiah 1:19
"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
I John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
[My reflections]
In a movie or a drama, there is often a fight scene between the good guy and the bad guy. The good guy is supposed to win and I know the outcome. I have no doubt on whether the good guy will win; the only suspense is in how the good guy is going to win. To win a fight that has been scripted for you to win is such an easy task indeed.
It appears that Gideon, a judge of Israel, was a very careful man, not easily convinced, but full of doubts. Even after God commanded him to attack Midian and promised him a victory, Gideon tested God several times. Even after Gideon took the chosen 300 men to the battlefield, he seems not to have been fully convinced. So God reaffirmed the victory through the mouth of an enemy soldier, telling the story of his dream of a loaf of barley bread. Only then, Gideon was emboldened and went out to fight and gain victory.
All of us have our own battlefields. God, who promised victory to Gideon, is also promising the same to us. We will encounter those who attack us. We will go through troublesome times. But such things cannot sever us from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39) and, through the One who loves us, we will triumph ultimately. In a way, we are scripted to win. The outcome is already a certainty.
"Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing,
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He, Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same, and He must win the battle." (Martin Luther)
On account of the loaf of barley bread of Israel, the bread of life that Jesus Christ is (John 6:35), we will assuredly triumph. That is certainly a reason to celebrate and to raise our voices in praise of Christ.
Judges 7:9-15
During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."
His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
Jeremiah 1:19
"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
I John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
[My reflections]
In a movie or a drama, there is often a fight scene between the good guy and the bad guy. The good guy is supposed to win and I know the outcome. I have no doubt on whether the good guy will win; the only suspense is in how the good guy is going to win. To win a fight that has been scripted for you to win is such an easy task indeed.
It appears that Gideon, a judge of Israel, was a very careful man, not easily convinced, but full of doubts. Even after God commanded him to attack Midian and promised him a victory, Gideon tested God several times. Even after Gideon took the chosen 300 men to the battlefield, he seems not to have been fully convinced. So God reaffirmed the victory through the mouth of an enemy soldier, telling the story of his dream of a loaf of barley bread. Only then, Gideon was emboldened and went out to fight and gain victory.
All of us have our own battlefields. God, who promised victory to Gideon, is also promising the same to us. We will encounter those who attack us. We will go through troublesome times. But such things cannot sever us from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39) and, through the One who loves us, we will triumph ultimately. In a way, we are scripted to win. The outcome is already a certainty.
"Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing,
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He, Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same, and He must win the battle." (Martin Luther)
On account of the loaf of barley bread of Israel, the bread of life that Jesus Christ is (John 6:35), we will assuredly triumph. That is certainly a reason to celebrate and to raise our voices in praise of Christ.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Praise at a Well
[Bible Verses]
Numbers 21:16-18
From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together and I will give them water."
Then Israel sang this song:
"Spring up, O well!
Sing about it, about the well that the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank —
the nobles with scepters and staffs."
Then they went from the desert to Mattanah...
[My reflections]
A few years ago, there was a worship service at the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Christianity in Korea. A huge choir with members from various Korean churches in southern California sang Mozart's Hallelujah. Even when a choir of a few hundred people sing, the sound is magnificent. Can you imagine what it would have been like when the whole nation of Israel, with its 600,000 men capable of battle fighting, sang in unison to praise the Lord, who gave them water after days in the wilderness? How much gratitude and how much thankfulness would the praise have contained! When Israel moved on from the desert, they named the next area "Mattanah", meaning "Gift of Jehovah". indeed a gift in the wilderness.
The living water that we received as a gift signifies the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). This living water is given to all who believe in Jesus and flows out of the holy temple, which is the body of Christ (Ezekiel 47:1). This water gives life, wherever it flows, so that there will be a lot of fish -- which stands for the people to whom the good news of salvation is preached. This water also allows the trees to bear fruit (Ezekiel 49:12, Psalm 1:3). We the believers of Jesus Christ have received the very best gift from God (Luke 11:13) -- the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of life in us and makes us bear fruit.
If the Israelites raised their voices in praise for getting water in the desert, how much more should we be thankful and praise the Lord for giving us the living water, the Holy Spirit? Water in the desert is certainly Mattanah, a gift of Jehovah, but for a thirsty soul to receive the Holy Spirit and to be liberated for ever from spiritual thirst is a supreme expression of God's love for us (Romans 5:5). Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Numbers 21:16-18
From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together and I will give them water."
Then Israel sang this song:
"Spring up, O well!
Sing about it, about the well that the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank —
the nobles with scepters and staffs."
Then they went from the desert to Mattanah...
[My reflections]
A few years ago, there was a worship service at the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Christianity in Korea. A huge choir with members from various Korean churches in southern California sang Mozart's Hallelujah. Even when a choir of a few hundred people sing, the sound is magnificent. Can you imagine what it would have been like when the whole nation of Israel, with its 600,000 men capable of battle fighting, sang in unison to praise the Lord, who gave them water after days in the wilderness? How much gratitude and how much thankfulness would the praise have contained! When Israel moved on from the desert, they named the next area "Mattanah", meaning "Gift of Jehovah". indeed a gift in the wilderness.
The living water that we received as a gift signifies the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). This living water is given to all who believe in Jesus and flows out of the holy temple, which is the body of Christ (Ezekiel 47:1). This water gives life, wherever it flows, so that there will be a lot of fish -- which stands for the people to whom the good news of salvation is preached. This water also allows the trees to bear fruit (Ezekiel 49:12, Psalm 1:3). We the believers of Jesus Christ have received the very best gift from God (Luke 11:13) -- the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the source of life in us and makes us bear fruit.
If the Israelites raised their voices in praise for getting water in the desert, how much more should we be thankful and praise the Lord for giving us the living water, the Holy Spirit? Water in the desert is certainly Mattanah, a gift of Jehovah, but for a thirsty soul to receive the Holy Spirit and to be liberated for ever from spiritual thirst is a supreme expression of God's love for us (Romans 5:5). Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Praising the Lord with a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to him
[Bible Verses]
Leviticus 1:2-3
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD.'
Leviticus 22:21
When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.
Leviticus 22:25
And you must not accept such animals from the hand of a foreigner and offer them as the food of your God. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and have defects.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I Peter 2:5
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
My reflections:
A recurring theme in the Bible whenever sacrifices or worship is mentioned is that our sacrifices and our worship must be acceptable and pleasing to God. For that, we cannot offer anything in any way we like, but must offer a sacrifice without defects or blemishes and worship him in a whole and holy manner. God, who is holy, demands that we be holy as well (I Peter 1:16) and does not accept a sacrifice that is not holy.
As I imagine something or someone that is without a blemish and is beautiful, I can picture a bride on her wedding day. Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a wedding several times. And in Revelations, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, representing an assembly of the saints, is described as being "prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (Revelations 21:2). And the bride's fine linen that she is wearing is said to be the righteous acts of the saints (Revelations 19:8).
If our times with Jesus in heaven are like wedding banquets, then I would like to think of our worship services on this earth as wedding practices. We are preparing for the immeasurable joy we will have as we spend our eternity with the Lord and praise him. While on earth, we must also practice worshipping him without blemishes, by wearing fine linen of righteous acts in everyday living.
Leviticus 1:2-3
Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD.'
Leviticus 22:21
When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.
Leviticus 22:25
And you must not accept such animals from the hand of a foreigner and offer them as the food of your God. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and have defects.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I Peter 2:5
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
My reflections:
A recurring theme in the Bible whenever sacrifices or worship is mentioned is that our sacrifices and our worship must be acceptable and pleasing to God. For that, we cannot offer anything in any way we like, but must offer a sacrifice without defects or blemishes and worship him in a whole and holy manner. God, who is holy, demands that we be holy as well (I Peter 1:16) and does not accept a sacrifice that is not holy.
As I imagine something or someone that is without a blemish and is beautiful, I can picture a bride on her wedding day. Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a wedding several times. And in Revelations, the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, representing an assembly of the saints, is described as being "prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (Revelations 21:2). And the bride's fine linen that she is wearing is said to be the righteous acts of the saints (Revelations 19:8).
If our times with Jesus in heaven are like wedding banquets, then I would like to think of our worship services on this earth as wedding practices. We are preparing for the immeasurable joy we will have as we spend our eternity with the Lord and praise him. While on earth, we must also practice worshipping him without blemishes, by wearing fine linen of righteous acts in everyday living.
Praise by New Creation
[Bible Verses]
Exodus 15:1-3
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :
"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
"Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
My reflections:
The entire creation praises the Lord God and manifests His invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20). God is not only our Creator, but also our Redeemer who has given us salvation from our sin and has made us as new, born-again creation.
The story of Exodus, that is, the story of our salvation started with the Lord Almighty coming down to us, who were suffering from sin and its consequences (Exodus 3:8). God Emmanuel, who is with us, is the beginning of our salvation. He stretched out his hands and struck the Egyptians who were holding the Israelites/us in bondage (Exodus 3:20). At last, he hurled the horses and their riders of Egypt into the sea. But he distinguished the Israelites and led them on dry land in the Red Sea.
God is our Redeemer and he alone is worthy of our praise. Standing on the east side of the Red Sea, the Israelites praised God with tambourines and dancing, with Miriam leading in praises and others following, with everyone joining in the praise, whether men or women, old or young. With the same joy and inspiration that the Israelites had, we should also praise God for his work of renewal as well as creation.
Exodus 15:1-3
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :
"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
"Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
My reflections:
The entire creation praises the Lord God and manifests His invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20). God is not only our Creator, but also our Redeemer who has given us salvation from our sin and has made us as new, born-again creation.
The story of Exodus, that is, the story of our salvation started with the Lord Almighty coming down to us, who were suffering from sin and its consequences (Exodus 3:8). God Emmanuel, who is with us, is the beginning of our salvation. He stretched out his hands and struck the Egyptians who were holding the Israelites/us in bondage (Exodus 3:20). At last, he hurled the horses and their riders of Egypt into the sea. But he distinguished the Israelites and led them on dry land in the Red Sea.
God is our Redeemer and he alone is worthy of our praise. Standing on the east side of the Red Sea, the Israelites praised God with tambourines and dancing, with Miriam leading in praises and others following, with everyone joining in the praise, whether men or women, old or young. With the same joy and inspiration that the Israelites had, we should also praise God for his work of renewal as well as creation.
Praise by Creation
[Bible Verses]
Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
My reflections:
When Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a colt, people praised God joyfully and shouted, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Seeing this, the Pharisees became indignant and requested that Jesus would rebuke the crowd. Jesus then replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40).
What was it that even the stones would have to cry out? It was, of course, that Jesus is the blessed king who comes in the name of the Lord! It is also the same praise that the entire creation is exalting.
The contents of praise by the creation declare that God is God the Almighty who has created us all. God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- are clearly manifest and seen in what he has made (Romans 1:20). If the creatures without a language are praising God so much, how much more should we be praising him? After all, we have had the benefit of being taught and warned by the word of God, which is his law, statues, precepts, commands, ordinances, and teaches us to fear him in awe (Psalm 19:7-11).
The song that comes out of my mouth is a confession that, standing before the Almighty God, I am a sinner and I beg him to keep me from any willful sins and keep me blameless and innocent of great transgressions (Psalm 19:13). "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14).
Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
My reflections:
When Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a colt, people praised God joyfully and shouted, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Seeing this, the Pharisees became indignant and requested that Jesus would rebuke the crowd. Jesus then replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40).
What was it that even the stones would have to cry out? It was, of course, that Jesus is the blessed king who comes in the name of the Lord! It is also the same praise that the entire creation is exalting.
The contents of praise by the creation declare that God is God the Almighty who has created us all. God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- are clearly manifest and seen in what he has made (Romans 1:20). If the creatures without a language are praising God so much, how much more should we be praising him? After all, we have had the benefit of being taught and warned by the word of God, which is his law, statues, precepts, commands, ordinances, and teaches us to fear him in awe (Psalm 19:7-11).
The song that comes out of my mouth is a confession that, standing before the Almighty God, I am a sinner and I beg him to keep me from any willful sins and keep me blameless and innocent of great transgressions (Psalm 19:13). "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14).
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