Tag: praise

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Let’s praise the Lord, together! Psalm 34:1-3

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

I will bless the LORD at all times:
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

Psalms 34:1-3

Explanation

Psalm 34 is an incredible song of praise to God that is meant to be song in a communal way.  This is not just a individual song to the Lord.  The focus of verses 1-3 is that the worship of God by the individual will influence the praise of everyone that can hear.

God certainly is worthy to be praised, not just with our lips, but with our lives. This is a theme in the whole song. To praise with one and not the other does not reflect who God is. It is not right to praise the Lord on Sunday, and live like the devil the rest of the week. It is also not right to try to live by the will of God throughout the week and not open our mouth and praise Him, either.

This is certainly the concern of the first two verses. When does He desire to bless the Lord? “At all times”. How often does he praise? “Continually”.

If there is something to boast about, it is not in our individual accomplishments or abilities. It is in the Lord. This reminds me of Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 

Jeremiah 9:23-24

When the psalmist blesses the Lord, praises the Lord, and boasts in the Lord, then others who have the right mindset will hear this praise, blessing, and boating and “be glad”. 

This prompts verse 3.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:3

There is a recognition of who God is that comes as we recognize who we are. We are not supposed to be worshipped. We are to worship. We are not to worship one another, or fear one another the way we worship and fear the Lord. He is to be worshipped because He is Lord. We are not. 

Application

Praise and Worship, done in a way to truly honor the Lord, takes genuine humility. It’s not about us, but it shoudl be done by us. It’s not about me, thought it should be done by me. It is about Him. He is to be magnified. His name should be lifted up.

Worship is good for us because, rightly done, worship right sizes God and ourselves in our hearts. God is to be magnified, and we, His people, submit to Him.

Response

Father God, may my worship of you be loud. Let it be done in humility, and may it cause others to worship You today. Amen

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Isaiah- Week 7- Day 1

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 37:14-16

Explanation:
Hezekiah, the king of Judah, received a message from Senacharib, the king of Assyria. It was not a fun message. You can read the message in verses 10-13.

Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

Isaiah 37:10-13

Talk about throwing down the trash talk! Senacharib told Hezekiah not to believe that his God could do anything about the fact that he was coming. Senacharib laid out his victories over previous nations, kings, and “gods”, asking Hezekiah where those kings that thought that way ended up. The intent was that Hezekiah would attribute their fate to Judah in his mind. Senacharib was trying to get into his head.

Hezekiah was a good king and made a wise decision in response.

First, He took this message to Lord. Notice it says “and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the LORD.” When the message was bad, and the enemy was tough, he took the problem to God. He spread out the written letter against him “before the Lord.” Did God need to see it? Of course not. It seems more proper to view it as a way that Hezekiah was communicating his need to God.

O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

Second, He began His prayer with praise. He doesn’t start with how bad the problem seems to be. He starts with praising God’s superiority. Look at the names:

  • Lord of Hosts
  • God of Israel
  • that Dwellest with Cherubims
    -“God…of all the kingdoms of the earth”
    -“thou hast made heaven and earth”

It is clear that Hezekiah was praising God for His mighty power.

Application:
In our lives there are times where we face great challenges. So often we try to take them on ourselves, rather than taking them to God. He is our strength and the one who can do something about them. We have to remember who He is, and see Him as our greatest hope.

Response:

  • What problem do you need to “spread before the Lord” today?
  • Take some time to pray today.

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Singing Praise (continued)- Isaiah- Week 5- Day 3

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. (5) Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.

Isaiah 25:4-5

Explanation:
Another reason for his praise can be found here in verses 4 and 5. He praises God for his works toward the poor, and to the needy in distress. God offers protection to these people. You see this protection described through three words:
Strength. God is a “strength” to the poor and needy in distress. God is a strength to the poor and needy as they deal with their distress and poverty.
Refuge. The word describes a shelter and a safety in the midst of difficulty. In this context the refuge is for the storm. Have you ever been out in the elements during the pounding rain, howling wind, and dangerous lightning? Your fears were calmed and your circumstance changed when you were able to get inside. This is the picture of God for those in the storm.
Shadow. For the person in the middle of the desert wilderness, the sun is an extreme and dangerous problem. God is described here as a shadow of relief and comfort from the heat of the enemies of God’s people.
There is an eschatological (end times) element in this context. God has protected His people through end-times difficulty and gotten them to the other side. God has been faithful and gracious to His people. They see it. They recognize it. It causes them to worship and praise God for his gracious protection to them.

Application:
This certainly has a Jewish context, but those who know Christ as Savior can know the gracious protection of the God of the universe. Though we have enemies because of our allegiance to God, God is a God who provides and protects His own. No matter how difficult things get on this earth, God will be a refuge in the storm, a shadow in the heat, and our strength in poverty and distress of all kinds.

Consider the words of the hymn, O God, Our Help in Ages Past

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:


Beneath the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.


Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.


A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.


Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.


O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home!

Response:

  • Where do you find your strength and refuge? Is it in God or something else?
  • Have you praised God for his protection?

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Singing Praise (continued)- Isaiah- Week 5- Day 2

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.

Isaiah 25:3

Explanation:
Because of God’s wonders (v1), plans (v1), and power against the evils of the city (v2), there will be two responses.
“Strong people” in this context are those who have been strengthened by God because they have believed on Him. These are the redeemed. Their response to God’s wonders, plans, and power is that of worship. They glorify God because of who He is and what He has done.
The response of “the city of terrible nations” who are now in a heap (v1) is that of terror. They now fear God because they understand the choice that they have made to go against the holy, righteous, and powerful Creator and Sustainer of the universe. There is fear, but at this point their fear is felt too late.

Application:
God deserves our worship while we deserve His wrath. This is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. He wants us to choose Him. We should glorify God for His wonders, plans, and power now.

Response:
Pick one of God’s wonders, plans, or an aspect of His power that you can worship Him for today.