Praise The Lord!
1. A Month Of Praise
After writing about times to be silent for a few days I want to turn that idea in another direction and look at times we can speak up in praise to our God. Our first one is found in Psalms 35:28. "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." Another good verse is Psalms 145:21, "My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever." Let's praise Him today! God has brought us through the night into a new day and a new month. Often during the month of November we make an effort to be thankful every day. Well, today is March 1st and Easter Sunday is April 1st. Let's see if we can take time to praise the Lord every day through this month.
2. Praise The Lord In Thanksgiving!
Since I mentioned Thanksgiving in our opening thoughts I want to begin our month of praise with a thankful heart to my Lord and my God. Jesus gave His life to pay for my sin and save me from an eternity in hell and I want to thank Him and praise Him today. One day I started thinking about what I would do if Jesus had not saved me. I would be so afraid of dying in my sinful, lost condition that I would have no joy in living. I just can't thank Him enough. Our Psalm of praise and thankfulness today is Psalm 100.
"1 <<A Psalm of praise.>> Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
3. Praise The Lord In Song
There is too much praise in Psalm 100 to go on to another chapter and verse. Today I want to look again at the first two verses. "<<A Psalm of praise.>> Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing." First of all we see the title of this Psalm, "A Psalm of praise". I don't know, but I can imagine that this was a Psalm that was sung in praise. Can't you hear the people rejoicing with their joyful noise as they went to serve the Lord with gladness? I think they sang as they gathered to worship the Lord. Some of the Levites were actually employed to sing day and night. (I Chronicles 9:33) And they had all types of musical instruments to use in their praise to the Lord. We still have the joy of praising the Lord in song today. I have been blessed and brought to tears of joy while singing when I was alone and only God could hear me. I have special memories of rocking my babies and singing the old hymns that I learned as a child. We sing to begin our worship services at church. No matter how you are feeling, I think it will give you joy and lift up your spirit when you begin to praise the Lord in song. "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1)
4. Praise The Lord, He's Gonna Stand By Me!
As I was putting away my dishes I started singing a song of praise, "I Know My Lord's Gonna Stand By Me" and I was overwhelmed by God's grace in the truth of those words. God's Word tells us "...The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long,..." (Deuteronomy 33:12) I remembered Hebrews 13:5, where God's Word tells us, "... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." And the last words of our Lord Jesus recorded in the book of Matthew are "... lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20) We go through some troubled times here on earth, and our friends may leave us to face them alone. But Jesus knows His own and He has promised that we are safe and secure in His hand, even in the Father's hand. I am praising the Lord today that He has never left me, and for giving me faith in His promise that He will always stand by me.
"27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." (John 10:27-29)
"I Know My Lord's Gonna Stand By Me" by Luther Presley
Verse 1
I’m a pilgrim on life’s weary road
Many times I’ve toiled neath a heavy load
When trials come and my faith grows week
I know my Lord is gonna stand by me
Chorus
Gonna stand by me
Gonna stand by me
I know my Lord’s gonna stand by me
When the way is dark and I cannot see
I know my Lord is gonna stand by me
Verse 2
There are burdens great that I must bear
There are loads of grief for my soul to share
When the friends I love shall forsake and flee
I know my Lord is gonna stand by me
Verse 3
When I come to cross the Jordan wide
And I reach my home on the other side
When I pass from time to eternity
I know my Lord’s gonna stand by me
5. Praise The Lord For His Goodness!
My Mom is a very kind and helpful person. Friday she spent all day driving different friends to different places. She called me after 8:00 Friday night to tell me she was on her way home. I knew something must be wrong when she called again a few minutes later. Her voice was almost in tears as she told me she had been in a wreck. She was turning on a green arrow light when a young lady ran a red light and hit the front right corner of her car, scraping all the way down the passenger side. Michael and I went to pick her up and she assured us that she was not hurt. I am praising God today for His goodness. I am thankful that the Lord kept the other car on the passenger side of her car. There was quite a bit of damage done to both vehicles, but praise the Lord, no one was hurt. I am looking back to Psalm 100:5 for our verse today. "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
One of my readers sent me an email with her voice of praise. I close with her sweet words. (I would love to hear from others if you have words of praise for our blessed Lord.)
"Thank you for today’s devotion. Yes we should daily thank God for all he does for us.
Psalm 100 is one that I have committed to memory, and many times I find myself saying verse 5 over and over during my day.
As I lay down each night before falling to sleep I will say this chapter as well as chapter 23. I have learned if you don’t keep it in mind, it will slowly leave you. You know that old saying, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Ha! Ha!
Again thank you for these devotions. I look forward to them each day. God Bless!"
Sally
6. Praise The Lord He Made Us!
Today I want to look back to verse 3 of Psalm 100. "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." This one verse gives us so much to praise the Lord for. First, "Know ye that the LORD he is God:" I Praise the Lord that we can know God, the one, holy, living God. There are many people who serve false gods and some who claim that there is no god, but I am so thankful that I know the one and only true God. And Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who gave Himself to die for us so that we might live. Next, I praise Him that "...it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;..." I don't have to go through life without reason or purpose for living. My life didn't just happen, but I was made by God who loves me and made me who I am. And because He made me I can trust in Him to know what's best for me. In the end of the verse we read, "...we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." For this part I want to turn to John 10:14-18 and 27-29. I praise the Lord that I am one of the other sheep in His fold.
"14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
7. Praise The Lord For My Goodly Heritage
Michael and I got to spend some time with both of our mothers on Monday. It is a joy that they don't live too far away, and that we all go to the same church and see each other often. Today I praise the Lord for my goodly heritage. My verse is one of my favorites, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." (Psalm 16:6) Michael and I were both raised in Christian homes and taken to church all of our lives. Some of my earliest memories are sitting at the table in our small kitchen as Mom used flanelgraph to show us the Bible stories as she studied for her Sunday School lessons. And even though my Dad passed away 16 years ago I can still remember the example he set in reading his Bible and in his prayer life. I can also remember 50 years ago when my Grandpa Beasley was preaching and I realized I was lost and asked the Lord to save me. I praise the Lord for my goodly heritage. Having Christian parents and grandparents did not make me a Christian. I still had to see my sinful condition and pray that the Lord would forgive me and save me. I am thankful that God called me at such a young age, and I might not have listened to His call if Mom and Dad had not been faithful in taking me to church. Praise the Lord for my goodly heritage!
8. Praise The Lord I Found It!
I hate to lose stuff. I really hate to lose stuff! And all the things I lose are small. Of course if they were big I would see them and they would not be lost. A few weeks ago we were looking for a gift we received at Christmas. It was small, but we had never taken it from the box, so it should have been easy to find. The Christmas presents were put away right after the New Year, and I could not remember what happened to it. I cleaned up all the "catch-all" places in my bedroom and searched inside drawers, but could not find it. I even looked under furniture thinking it may have been dropped and accidently kicked underneath. I have been praying that God would help me find it and this morning as I was reading my Bible I prayed, "Lord, if it is in the house, please show me where it's at." And even though God doesn't speak to me in an audible voice, He still speaks to my mind and He told me to look beside Michael's computer desk. I looked in a cardboard box that was half-filled with movies and old playstation games the children had years ago and after a little digging, there it was! My little 4 inch, lost, box had fallen, probably from Michael's desk, and been almost buried by the stuff in the box. I praise the Lord today for helping me find lost things. There have been many times that I lost my keys, or glasses, or something and I found it after I asked the Lord to help me. Our scripture today tells us that I am not the only one who rejoices when lost things are found. And even those in heaven rejoice when lost souls are found. Praise the Lord!
"4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:4-10)
9. Praise The Lord I Am A Child Of The King
I was reading in II Samuel and I came to one of my favorite stories. After David became king he asked if there was anyone left of the house of Saul that he could show kindness to, for Jonathan's sake. Ziba, a servant of Saul's house, told King David that Jonathan had a son, named Mephibosheth, who was lame on both feet. So King David sent for him and invited him to eat at the king's table, as a son. Please continue reading to see the contrast in chapter 10 and how the message of these two stories applies to people today.
"6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons." (II Samuel 9:6-11)
Chapter 10 begins with a similar situation, but a very different ending.
"1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" (II Samuel 10:1-3)
Hanun shamed the servants of David and hired 33,000 men of other countries to fight against Israel. Israel won that battle, so the Syrians gathered more men to fight against King David. "And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there." (II Samuel 10:17-18)
God calls to us and we can bow before Him and become a child of the King when we accept His gift of salvation. Or we can join forces with the enemies of God, and fight a losing battle. "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)
10. Praise The Lord For My Washer And Dryer
As I moved the load of towels from my washing machine into the dryer I thanked the Lord for these modern conveniences. I thought back 50 years. On Fridays my Mom would get my three younger sisters and me up while it was still dark and load us into our only car so she could take Dad to work and borrow the car for the day. Later that morning she would load us all into the car again with baskets of dirty clothes to go to the laundromat. We played while she put dimes or quarters into the machines to wash the clothes. After they were clean we took them home and hung them up on the clothes line to dry. On rainy days we hung them on folding racks in the house. I didn't have a washer or dryer for several years after we were married, which was difficult when we had all those diapers to wash. (We didn't have disposable diapers, either.) Man has come really far in modern inventions during my lifetime. It is hard to imagine all the conveniences we have that our parents and grandparents did not have. Neither of my grandparents had indoor bathrooms in their homes when I was a child. My Grandma H. cooked on a wood stove all of her life. I am thankful for my cooking stove, my microwave, and even my crock pot. Today I praise the Lord for all these things that make living easier. "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions." (Proverbs 8:12)
11. Praise The Lord For Prayer!
I look on facebook and I see post after post of prayer requests. Some are from my friends and some are people I don't know who are so burdened their requests are making their way across the nation. I go to church and special prayer requests are made at the beginning of our worship services. Sometimes my sisters or children will send me a text on the phone for a special problem that needs prayer. It is such a blessing that we can go to one another in prayer and an even greater blessing that we know, yes, we know, that God hears and answers our prayers. God has answered many prayers in my life, and continues to do so. Where I could not see the way, God has opened up a way. When problems burdened me and brought me to my knees, God gave me power and strength to rise up again. When I have troubles that I can't share with anyone else, I can always go to my Lord in prayer. I can pray anywhere, any time, and any place. And I don't think we have ever needed prayer more than we do today. Our country needs prayer. Our leaders need prayer. Our family and friends need prayer. Our churches need prayer. We all need God, and the way to come to God is through prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for prayer! "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)
12. Praise The Lord For Faithful Preachers Of God's Word
I have been thrilled and somewhat amazed by the publicity that Billy Graham has received for his preaching accomplishments and his message following his death on February 21, 2018. Much of the media strives to make Christians feel that we have a "mental illness" in our worship and belief in Christ Jesus. The news coverage of Billy Graham's funeral and the stories of his life continue to be a witness to the lost souls who need the Lord. Today I praise the Lord for faithful preachers of God's Word. We often hear stories of preachers who fall into temptation, but there are many who are faithful to the Lord, giving a message of hope and salvation to a lost and dying world. I heard one newsman comment that there may never be another preacher like Billy Graham, and that may be true, but there are many preachers carrying on the work of Christ. I am very thankful to the Lord for the great preaching I have heard through the years. I have had some wonderful pastors. Today is the Lord's day, and I hope that you will be faithful to God and your church. If you are looking for a Bible believing church in the High Point area of North Carolina, I invite you to Pine Grove Baptist Church, located near the intersection of Interstate 85 and Hwy. 62. We are thankful for Pastor Jack Tripp and his faithfulness to preach God's Word. He is such a blessing to our church. "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:15)
13. Praise The Lord For The Shammah's Of The World
I just finished reading the book of II Samuel. I enjoy reading about the life of King David, although I find the end kind of sad, with the revolt and death of Absalom. One part that isn't sad is the way he listed his "mighty men" in chapter 23. And one, in particular, caught my attention today. "And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory." (II Samuel 23:11-12) The Philistines came out against Israel and attacked and only Shammah stood his ground. He defended it and "the LORD wrought a great victory." The enemies are attacking Christians full force today. They are trying to take what we have. But, I praise the Lord today for those who stand their ground for what's right and defend what God has given us. I want to be like Shammah. I want to take a stand, and "having done all, to stand" I want to "Stand therefore..." like we read in Ephesians 6:10-18.
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
14. Praise The Lord For The Snow
It snowed! I checked the weather and saw that it might. But I really didn't expect it. It's mid March. The first day of spring is next week. So, I just didn't think about it snowing. The ground was warm enough that it didn't pile really deep, but I saw pictures of several cars that could not stay on the roads. It snowed! And I am almost out of milk and bread. I didn't buy extra to last beyond the weekend, so Monday morning I had to think about what I would cook for our meals for the day. Praise the Lord for our wood stove! I cooked a pot of pintos on top of the wood stove and made chili beans. And I wrapped several sweet potatoes in foil and put them in the wood stove to bake. And there is no heat that will beat wood stove heat, so we were kept warm all day. I can praise the Lord for the snow that falls in all its beauty, and I can praise Him for our woodstove. I turn to the book of Isaiah for our snow verses today. Read on to see how the snow accomplishes the Lord's will.
"18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaian 1:18)
"6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:6-11)
15. Praise The Lord For His Word!
The Bible is the only book that you can read and learn from each time you read it. Because it is the living Word of God, the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and gives you insight into the deeper things of God. So, today I praise the Lord for His Word! I may read today and have questions that I don't understand. I might be at a portion of scripture that lists names or places that I can't remember. But, that is okay, because each time I read it through I find answers in the scriptures to a few more of my questions, and each time I become more familiar with the names and places and it begins to all work together, speaking to my heart. The Bible gives us these stories as examples to help us grow in the Lord. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (I Corinthians 10:11) If you don't have a special time of daily reading, I want to encourage you to find time. God can increase your faith through His Word. He can give you strength and courage and a light for your path. Think about it... if God kept His Word for all these thousands of years, don't you believe that it is worth our attention? "In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word." (Psalm 56:10)
"1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3)
16. Praise The Lord For Another Day To Share His Word
Yesterday I mentioned that sometimes I have questions when I read the Bible. This morning while I was washing dishes I thought about some verses that I have questioned many times.
"34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." (Luke 17:34-36)
I believe that these verses tell us that we don't always know who is saved and who is lost. I think the two in one bed speak of family. We may live in the same house, eating, and sleeping, and spending our time together, and not all be saved. The two grinding together could be those we prepare meals and eat with. And the two men in the field tell us that some of the people we work with may not be ready to meet the Lord. Even all the people we go to church with may not be saved, as we see in Matthew 7:21-23.
"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
These are some of the saddest words in the Bible, "I never knew you: depart from me..." These were people who were doing works in the name of the Lord, but they were still lost in their sins. It will be a sad time when we appear before the Lord Jesus and see our friends and loved ones condemned. But, praise the Lord we have another day to share His Word. God has blessed us with another day to witness for Him. We need to share the gospel message that Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) With the technology we have today it is easier than ever to get the message out. I hope that these simple devotional thoughts will encourage you to share His Word and seize each opportunity to be a witness for Christ Jesus.
17. "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD"
Are you still with me? We are half-way through our month of praising the Lord. Looking at the calendar above my computer I see that next week is the first day of spring, and then we will celebrate Palm Sunday, looking forward to Easter on April 1st. These are great reasons to praise the Lord. Has the Lord been good to you? I know He has surely been good to me! The book of Psalms is filled with praises to our God. And it ends with a wonderful Psalm of praise. What is your Psalm of praise? I would love for you to share a Psalm of praise, or any words of praise to our Lord and I can post them for a witness of the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God is worthy of all our praise! "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6)
"1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150)
18. Nature Praises The Lord
Let's continue with our thought from yesterday, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6) There are several verses in the Bible that show us even nature itself praises the Lord God Almighty. The waves of the sea roar in praise to our God. The trees clap their hands and the morning stars sang together. Jesus is able to make the stones cry out in praise if we fail to praise Him. Are we going to let all of nature do our praising for us?
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)
"The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever." (Psalm 93:3-5)
"But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name." (Isaiah 51:15)
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together" (Psalm 98:4-8)
"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice" (Psalm 96:11)
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7)
"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:37)
"Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 148:1-14)
19. Praise The Lord For The House Of The Lord!
Thank you, Sally, for sending your words of praise for our devotions on this beautiful Lord's day.
"Though it doesn’t say “Praise,” I love Psalm 122:1.. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” We need to praise God for his house of worship, that we can go to, without worries of being thrown into jail, as many of our Christian brothers and sisters are threaten with, in other countries. I learned this verse when I was probably six years old.
Another favorite is “Praise the Lord: for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.” Psalm 135:3
God is so good to me, even when I don’t deserve it. I love singing praises to him.
Again, thank you so much for such thought provoking devotions! They are a daily blessing!"
Sally
20. Praise The Lord For Breath And Life
Thank you, Betty, for sharing your words of praise to our verse, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6)
"I have breath and I have blessings, and I am praising the Lord !!!!!!!"
I never thought about how much we take breathing for granted until I had breathing problems and was rushed to the hospital. During the past two years I have tried to learn what triggers my struggled breathing so I can try to avoid those things as much as possible. But there are so many factors that are beyond my control, like the weather and the smell of perfumes and lotions, I sometime find that the simple act of breathing is difficult. From the very beginning of man, God gave breath and life. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7) And God continues to give life through the air that we breathe. So, I am praising the Lord with Betty, "I have breath and I have blessings, and I am praising the Lord !!!!!!!" "I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." (Psalm 104:33)
21. Praise The Lord For Spring!
Finally. We have reached the first day of spring. It seemed to take a long time to get here. The weather has been cold, wet, and windy and I am ready for some warm spring days. I praise the Lord for His promise that "seedtime and harvest,..." will never fail to come. "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:22) God always keeps His promises and just as sure as we have the winter days of our lives, we will have the spring and summer days, too. The sun, moon, and stars are all in God's hand and He has blessed us to bring us through another winter, into spring. The birds are singing and the trees are beginning to bud. Flowers are bursting through the once frozen ground. Praise the Lord for spring! I can hear the joy of spring time in the love song of the Old Testament.
"10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." (Song Of Solomon 2:10-13)
22. Praise The Lord For The Blessed Hope
Mom called me Tuesday night and talked for a while. She said it had been the longest day. It was cold out, and her car is still in the shop, so she stayed in all day. Then she reminded me that on March 20, 2002, Dad passed in his sleep. I am sure that there have been many long days for my Mom during the last sixteen years. I also think of him often. It has been sixteen years since I talked to my Dad. Sixteen years since I heard him pray. Sixteen long years since I saw his face. But, praise the Lord I have a blessed hope that I will see him again one day! My Dad was a great Christian man who lived for the Lord, and I know he is with the Lord even now. Praise the Lord!
"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
23. Praise The Lord For Gardens
Well, Tuesday was the first day of spring, and Wednesday we had snow, sleet, and freezing rain most of the day. I am so ready for the ground to thaw and the sun to dry and warm the earth so I can till and plant my garden. Michael and I went to Hills Farm and Garden and bought the seeds for my vegetables. I can't wait to taste the squash, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, corn and melons. By this time last year I had green peas and beets several inches high. I grew up helping Mom and Dad in the garden and it brings me great joy to work in the sunshine, and watch the plants grow. I can only imagine how great it must have been for Adam and Eve in the first garden. "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:15) Before the ground was cursed because of sin, I believe the fruit of the land was bigger and tasted better than anything we have today. My small garden space won't be anything to compare with their paradise, but I will praise the Lord for each vegetable I am blessed to pick. "I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6) (On another note, I found a jar of seeds under the house this summer that is at least 25 years old. I want to plant them and see if they will come up. I am guessing by the shape that they are some type of gourd. Come on sunshine!)
24. Praise The Lord For Marriage
Today is a special day at our house. Michael and I have been married forty years. I believe that God gave us marriage and the love between a man and a woman is something to be celebrated. God put the first man and woman together in the garden of Eden in the beginning of time. The first miracle that Jesus did during His life here on earth was performed at a marriage. And the Bible shows us the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:5-9. So today I praise the Lord for marriage, and I feel especially blessed that He has given Michael and me these forty years together.
"5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
25. Praise The Lord For Children
I can still remember the day I first became a mother. Michael drove me to the hospital and our first son was born. A year and a half later, we had another son. Then another son. And another son. Then, ten years after the birth of our first son we had a daughter. Money was sometimes tight, but we felt happy and blessed with our family. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalm 127:3) Five children, that stood like stair steps to bring up and raise in our Christian faith was a big responsibility. I spent a lot of time in prayer that I could teach them the things of God. I read the Bible to them and taught them verses and Bible stories. I celebrated milestones and longed for the day when they would all be out of diapers, eating at the table, going to school, and graduating from school. I thought the final milestone would be when they all got married and started their own families, but my prayers still continue for them each day, several times a day. I praise the Lord for my children and their spouses. I praise Him for our grandchildren... but that is for another day.
26. Praise The Lord For Grandchildren
I know the joy Naomi felt when little Obed was laid in her arms to care for. The women said, "Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him." (Ruth 4:14-15) Because of the kinsman redeemer Naomi became a grandmother. There are many grandmothers today who have grandchildren through extended families. Love them. Children born today face problems that I never even dreamed about. Many people tell me that I spoil my grandchildren, but what I really try to do is show them how much I love them. Meredith is our oldest, and she is eleven, and Benjamin is the youngest, and he just turned a year old. We have nine grandbabies to love and cherish, and two more on the way. We just found out another little boy is on the way in a few months and our daughter is expecting to deliver a little while after that. I went with Susanna Thursday and held Jedidiah on one knee and Elsa on the other knee as they watched the screen during the ultra-sound. "Is that the baby?" It is hard to see more than a general shape so early, and Elsa kept asking, "Where is the mouth?" I love all my grandbabies and I praise the Lord for them. Each new one just gives us more to love!
27. Praise The Lord He Heals Our Broken Hearts
Most of you don't know me. And except for the ones that send me prayer requests, I don't know anything about most of you. But, I do know that we are living in troubled times and many are going through trials. I believe that most, if not all, of us have problems that we have to deal with and live with from day to day. And it is easy to feel broken. That is why I try to write encouraging devotionals, to help ease your burdened heart and lift your broken spirit. And even while writing these encouraging scriptures, I still often get discouraged and burdened, but you don't see that. Not, unless you know me really well. Sometimes little Elsa will get right next to me and ask, "You okay, MeMaw?" And I will pick her up and hug her and say, "Yes, I'm okay. You, okay?" And she will giggle and say, "Yeah, me okay." And at that moment I have to be okay because I realize that little eyes are watching me, and they can see the hesitation in my steps, and little ears can hear the discouragement in my voice. I don't want to ever do anything that would be a hindrance in the little lives that are watching me. And I try to remember Psalms 147:3. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Praise the Lord He can give healing to the broken hearted.
28. Praise The Lord For Freedom
I just saw an email from a reader that I want to share. One of the lines says, "He sets the captives free." It goes right along with the devotional I had already typed, which follows. Thank you, Briana.
"Beverly,
This made me think of the tune to, "He's Able."
Chorus
He's able
He's able
I know He's able
I know my Lord is able to carry me through
He heals the broken hearted
And sets the captives free
He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see
Chorus
Hope this tune helps.
~Briana"
I am thankful and blessed to have been born in a free country. I could have been born in a dark place where the people don't have the freedoms we have in America, most of all the freedom of worship. We need to pray for our country and the leaders and ask God to help us in these times of crisis. I am even more thankful for the freedom I have in Christ Jesus. Jesus freed me from the bondage of sin and gave me a new life in Him. Praise the Lord for the freedom I have in Him!
"31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)
"22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)
29. Praise The Lord For He Shall Reign Forever!
Sunday was Palm Sunday. I used to make paper palm branches for the children when I taught Sunday school years ago. We would wave them up and down and say, "Praise the Lord!" I did this as an activity for the children, but it would probably do us good to get into the practice of praising the Lord. He is the King of
Kings and He will reign forever. I am looking forward to the day when I can fall at the nail-scarred feet of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thank Him for saving a poor lost sinner like me. Praise the Lord He shall reign forever!
"12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:12-13)
"The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 146:10)
"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:16)
30. Praise The Lord Every Knee Shall Bow To The Lord
I hate to see how people today mock and blaspheme the name of Jesus. Sometimes I pray for them, that they will see the Light before their time on earth is done. We serve a good and merciful God, but one day it will be too late for all those who scoff at His name. God created man, and people have been turning against Him since Adam sinned against His Word in the garden of Eden. God had a remedy. He sent His only Son to die for lost sinners, and even as Jesus was going to the cross, He was mocked.
"29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him." (Matthew 27:29-31)
Yesterday we talked about how Jesus is "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS", and so every person, those who bow to Him now, and those who deny His presence, will bow to Him one day. "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11) Are you ready to meet the King of Kings? I think time will soon come to an end and we will meet the One who gave His life for "whosoever" will believe on Him. We can choose to bow to Him now, or not, but one day you can be sure that every person will bow to Jesus, the King of Kings.
31. Praise The Lord He Died For Me!
When I was young I never understood why this is called "Good Friday". I could not see how the day that Jesus died on the cross was "good". Now that I am older I praise the Lord that He died for me! Jesus left heaven to come to a cruel world and give His life to pay for my sin. Adam sinned and brought a curse to the world and we are all born in sin. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" And we read in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." We can back up a chapter and see God's plan to pay for our sin so that we would not have to die an eternal death. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) We can receive this wonderful gift of salvation by asking the Lord to forgive us of our sins and believe on Him.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9, 10 & 13)
If you have doubts about your salvation I hope that you will go to Jesus in prayer and trust Him as your Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way of salvation and a heavenly home for eternity. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) This can be a really Good Friday for you if you accept what Jesus did for you on the cross, and trust Him to save you!
32. Praise The Lord He Has Risen Just Like He Said!
Everything I am and all I believe is possible because Jesus rose from the dead just like He said. Christianity is the worship of the one and only living God.
"5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." (Matthew 28:5-7)
Because He lives, we have the assurance that we will live for eternity in heaven also. He went back to heaven to prepare a place for His children. And He promised to come again for us. As you celebrate Easter Sunday tomorrow, remember that we live because He lives! And we will live with Him throughout eternity!
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
