1 Cor. 1:9

Praising our God Night and Day! - Psalm 134

6:00 PM

 

Today’s Reading: Psalm 134, Ephesians 4:1-6

This Psalm is the last of the fifteen Song of Ascents we’ve studied (Psalm 120-134). In the first two verses God’s people are calling the priests and Levites of the temple to continue praising the Lord as an act of service.

“Behold, bless and praise the Lord, all servants of the Lord (priests, Levites), who stand and serve by night in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
And bless the Lord.” (AMP Emphasis mine)

“They were the servants of the Lord by office, appointed to minister in holy things; they attended the sanctuary, and kept the charge of the house of the Lord, Numbers 3:6, etc. Some of them did by night stand in the house of the Lord, to guard the holy things of the temple, that they might not be profaned, and the rich things of the temple, that they might not be plundered. While the ark was in curtains there was the more need of guards upon it. They attended likewise to see that neither the fire on the altar nor the lamps in the candlestick went out. Probably it was usual for some devout and pious Israelites to sit up with them; we read of one that departed not from the temple night or day, Luke 2:37” (Matthew Henry)

The final verse is a blessing from these ministers to those who encouraged them to praise the Lord:
3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.” (AMP)

“Charles Spurgeon suggested that the scene was of pilgrims departing Jerusalem in the darkness of early morning, calling out to the priests and Levites who stood watch at the temple. The pilgrims then receive the blessing spoken back to them.”(David Guzik)

 

Isn’t it wonderful how God’s people encourage each other to continue praising the Lord no matter what their position (in the body of Christ) is? Exhorting, encouraging and blessing one another. That is exactly how our Abba wants us all to be: in unity! (Ephesians 4:1-6)

This psalm shows us that praise should be added to all our work!

 

“Not one of you should serve him as of compulsion, but all should bless him while you serve him; yea, bless him for permitting you to serve him, fitting you to serve him, and accepting your service.” (Spurgeon)

When we surrendered our life to Jesus, we all received a special calling:

  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  (1 Peter 2:9-10 AMP)

We are His special people at His service, and as His servants we have special reason to bless and praise Him, because:

· We partner with God in His work, which is a special privilege.  (1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Peter 4:11)

· We enjoy the nearness that comes with working together with Him and his people.

   (Ro.  15:5-6)

· We receive the special strength and anointing as we serve Him. (Acts 1:8, Phil 4:11-13)

· We experience new and exciting challenges of faith. (Phil. 2:12-13)

 

Paul also exhorts us:

 “First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, 2 for [a]kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior… 8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].” (1Timothy 2:1-3,8 AMP Emphasis mine)

-Did you ever wake up in the wee hours of the night, and by His Holy Spirit  were led to pray for someone or felt the urge to praise Him? Has this been frequent?

-How did this make you feel?

Heavenly Father: Thank you for the privilege and right to stand before You to minister with our prayers, intercessions and our praise to You. Even in the night we are under your sight, and You bend down to listen: we have direct have access to You! This is so amazing and I want to ask You to forgive me for the times when I grumble at the fact that I must let go of my sleep and be on guard for whatever is Your desire or need at that moment during the night! May I be diligent and cheerful as I minister to You! May I always acknowledge the privilege and honor of Your Holy Presence and the direction of Your Holy Spirit! Thank you for blessing me and loving me in the special Way that You do! May I extend this love and blessings to others too! In Jesus’s Precious Name I pray. Amen!

Blessings,

Mary


1 Peter 2:9-10

FOREVER LOVING AND FAITHFUL- Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 7:16-18, Isaiah 48:12-13

7:00 AM

 


Today’s reading: Psalm 89, 2 Samuel 7:16-18, Isaiah 48:12-13

The title of this psalm is “A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite”. There are several men named Ethan in the Hebrew Scriptures, but this man is mentioned specifically in 1 Kings 4:31 as someone who was famous for his wisdom. This means he was likely a contemporary of Solomon and was also alive during the reign of David. (BlueletterBibles.org)

In the first verses of this beautiful chapter, the psalmist exalts God’s Faithfulness for he has witnessed it –like we have- throughout the days of his life:

“I will sing of the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord forever;
With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation.
2 For I have said, “Goodness and lovingkindness will be built up forever;
In the heavens [unchangeable and majestic] You will establish Your faithfulness.”

As usual I have to share C.H. Spurgeon’s comments on these verses, for he fully expresses what my heart feels:

“God's faithfulness is the mercy of his mercy. It is the center-point of his goodness that his goodness endureth for ever. We are not only to sing; we are to teach. The Psalmist says, «With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.» In telling his own experience, narrating what he had observed, as well as what he had proved of God's faithfulness to his promise and his covenant, he would do this so that following generations should know about it. We are the schoolmasters of the ages to come; I mean, saints who have experienced the mercy and the faithfulness of God. We ought to make known Jehovah's faithfulness to all generations that are yet to come.”

Yes, we cannot keep His Amazing Grace and Favor over our lives to us! The world needs to know and it is our responsibility to start with our family!

When I first surrendered my life to Jesus and began going to Church and studying His word at the home of my friend who had prayed for me and had witnessed to me, I was amazed how I did “thirst and hunger” for more of Him. Her mother was the one teaching us these Bible classes, and I knew that if I did get married and have my own children this would me my highest purpose in life: that all my generations would know and witness in their lives of His lovingkindness and Saving Grace.

In these next verses the psalmist sings of God’s covenant with king David (2 Samuel 7:12-17) and his generations:


3 [God has said] “I have made a covenant with My chosen one; I have sworn to David My servant, 4 I will establish your seed forever and I will build up your throne for all generations.” (89:3-4)

The Lord said He would establish David's seed and throne forever, and God's Firstborn would be made higher than the kings of the earth, as foretold in 2 Samuel 7:16

“16 Your house (royal dynasty) and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever.”

As Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:20, in Jesus we see the fulfillment of this covenant: “For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.”


This also was revealed to John in the book of Revelation 1:5-6:

“…Jesus Christ, the [g]faithful and trustworthy Witness, the [h]Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] [i]freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)— 6 and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], [j]priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”


We are so privileged to be part of this Covenant of Grace which has reached us through our faith in Jesus Christ, and we have become:

“9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) 


What an amazing God we have! We have been in His Heart and plans before we were even born! Something so great for our minds to phantom! 

Aren’t these Promises of His enduring Love and Faithfulness be more than enough to keep us firm in our faith even in the midst of our trials?   


Thank you Abba Father, for such amazing love and faithfulness you have lavished over us through Jesus´ Sacrifice! We want to humbly bow and praise You! “O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You [as an intrinsic, unchangeable part of Your very being].” (89:8) “You have a strong arm; Mighty is Your hand, Your right hand is exalted.14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.15 Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]!They walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance! 16 In Your name they rejoice all the day, And in Your righteousness they are exalted. 17 For You are the glory of their strength [their proud adornment], And by Your favor our horn is exalted. 18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.” (89:13-18) “Blessed be the Lord forevermore! Amen and Amen.” (89:52)


Blessings,

Mari

Here is a song of praise on today's study: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muEqwtYjdB0