(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(Psalm 135:1-21)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, you servants of the Lord,
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courtyards of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel as His own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
In heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the ocean depths.
7 He causes the mist to ascend from the ends of the earth,
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings forth the wind from His treasuries.
8 He struck the firstborn of Egypt,
Both human firstborn and animal.
9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck many nations
And brought death to mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
Og, king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan;
12 And He gave their land as an inheritance,
An inheritance to His people Israel.
13 Your name, Lord, is everlasting,
The mention of You, Lord, is throughout all generations.
14 For the Lord will judge His people
And will have compassion on His servants.
15 The idols of the nations are nothing but silver and gold,
The work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will become like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
19 House of Israel, bless the Lord;
House of Aaron, bless the Lord;
20 House of Levi, bless the Lord;
You who revere the Lord, bless the Lord.
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, you servants of the Lord,
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courtyards of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel as His own possession.
5 For I know that the Lord is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does,
In heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all the ocean depths.
7 He causes the mist to ascend from the ends of the earth,
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings forth the wind from His treasuries.
8 He struck the firstborn of Egypt,
Both human firstborn and animal.
9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck many nations
And brought death to mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
Og, king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan;
12 And He gave their land as an inheritance,
An inheritance to His people Israel.
13 Your name, Lord, is everlasting,
The mention of You, Lord, is throughout all generations.
14 For the Lord will judge His people
And will have compassion on His servants.
15 The idols of the nations are nothing but silver and gold,
The work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will become like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
19 House of Israel, bless the Lord;
House of Aaron, bless the Lord;
20 House of Levi, bless the Lord;
You who revere the Lord, bless the Lord.
21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
What do "natural disasters" have to do with praising the Lord? As verse 9 explains, all signs and wonders and events display God's power and sovereignty! Egypt had their chance to see what the Lord is able to do and submit and serve Him, but they did not. The rest of the world heard about what happened, and this spoke of God's mighty power, giving them an opportunity to see why they should submit and serve the Lord. And when people do turn to the Lord, He is faithful to save and help them.
Israel has specific promises from God which will be fulfilled in the Millennium. The delay is only because of their disbelief and disobedience. But that as a nation will change when they go through the Tribulation.
As for us who choose to submit and serve the Lord... we are equal in the Lord's eyes. Because we are born again into God's family, we are also His inheritance, and He also gives us an inheritance. Therefore, as believers, we should desire to serve and praise the Lord.
No matter where or how we serve the Lord, it is all helpful in building up God's kingdom and equipping the saints. No position in the church is more important than another, otherwise it would be about the people, and not about God.
We must keep our focus in line with God's will and remain focused on God. Serving each other IS serving the Lord!!! We should not be seeking the praises of people, but our desire to serve is for God's pleasure and to His glory! Our service should be an extension of our praises to the Lord.
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