Let's Just Praise The Lord!
1. Praise For Easter!
In celebration of Easter, our new devotionals will focus on praising the Lord. We don't have to let the present troubles get us down, because we have a very present God. And He deserves all our praise! I am always blessed at church when Pastor Tripp has asked if there are any prayer requests, and someone stands with a praise report. I try to pray for those special prayer requests when I hear them or read them on facebook, but since we are celebrating Easter, the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, let's offer up some praise to God Almighty, for He alone is worthy!
"1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah." (Psalm 46:1-3)
2. A Song Of Praise
When I was a teenager there were several young preachers in our youth group. They held tent meetings, cottage prayer meetings, even street corner meetings. They preached, and we all sang, visiting churches in revival meetings and camp meetings. William J. Gaither wrote a song in 1972 that we sang many, many times, "Let's Just Praise The Lord!" I can still remember singing that song, filled with joy in my heart and soul. "Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." (Psalm 146:1-2)
"Let's Just Praise The Lord!"
Chorus:
Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord;
Let's just praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let's just lift our hearts to heaven an praise the Lord!
Verse 1
O we thank you for your kindness, we thank you for your love,
We have been in heavenly places, felt blessings from above;
We've been sharing all the good things, the family can afford,
Let's just turn our hearts toward heaven and praise the Lord.
Chorus
Verse 2
Just the precious name of Jesus is worthy of our praise,
Let us bow our knees before Him, our hands to heaven raise;
When He comes in clouds of glory, with Him to ever reign,
Let's just lift our happy voices, and praise His name.
3. Their Praise Was Heard Afar Off
As I finished reading the book of Nehemiah I noticed that after they built the wall of Jerusalem the praise of the people was so great it was heard afar off. "Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off." (Nehemiah 12:43) Reading this verse made me want our rejoicing to be heard afar off. I want all the people who are seeking for answers, to hear our praise to our Lord. Maybe you are thinking, well, when this is over we can praise the Lord. Let's look back a few pages to the book of Ezra. The people praised the Lord after the foundation of the temple was laid, and "the noise was heard afar off." They didn't wait until it was finished.
"10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." (Ezra 3:10-13)
The last example I want to use shows that the people praised the Lord even before the battle began. "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." (II Chronicles 20:21-22) We can see that no matter where we are in our battle or storm, we can still praise the Lord. Let's just praise the Lord!
4. Praise The Lord For Food To Eat
One of the first prayers I learned was, "God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His hands we are fed, Give us Lord our daily bread." Today I want to praise the Lord for the food I have. I am still staying in, but Michael went to the store early Monday morning during the senior hour. They didn't have everything on my list, but he was able to get enough that it might last us for two weeks. God is good. I enjoy cooking, so we are eating well. I know someone who was delivering lunches to kids and on one stop some elderly neighbors came out and asked if they could have some food. The teachers decided that they would take them some groceries. Some people I know are taking food to their parents, and to widows in their church. If you need something to eat, I hope that there is someone you can call to help you through these troubled times. And if you know of someone who needs a little help, call and check on them. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." (Psalm 107:8-9)
5. Don't Let The Stones Praise The Lord For You
Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people "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 12:13) The Pharisees told Jesus to stop them from praising Him and He said, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40) I don't want the rocks and stones to have to do my praising for the Lord. Easter Sunday is just a few days away. We can never praise Him enough for dying on the cross to save us from our sin. Let's just lift our voice to heaven and praise the Lord!
"28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 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;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:28-40)
6. Praise The Lord For Showers Of Blessing
On Monday Michael helped me plant our garden. I didn't plant corn this year because the squirrels have eaten more than we did the last two years. Even with the smaller area, I was hot and tired when we finished, but happy to get it done. As we walked up to the house I told Michael that I was praying for a little rain. In about an hour, we had a good little rain shower. I praise the Lord for showers of blessing. When the boys were young they said that every time we sang "There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing" at church, it rained. God supplies our showers of blessing. "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." (Ezekiel 34:26) God has blessed me in so many ways. Easter reminds us of the greatest blessing of all, our risen Savior. Look around you today and be thankful for the goodness God has given to you. A place to live, food to eat, running water, and friends and family, are just a few of the blessings God has showered on me. Let's just praise the Lord for His showers of blessing!
7. 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!
8. Praise The Lord For My Family
Madison turned four years old on Friday. We wanted to celebrate her birthday with her, so we took her birthday present, and their Easter bucket, and put them on the porch. The gifts were taken inside and we watched from the sidewalk. It has been several weeks since we have visited with our family, and we were so happy to see them. It was great to hear little Grayson say, "Ball" when he pulled the red and white football from the Easter bucket. We really wanted to hug them, but we kept our distance. I try to stay ahead of the grandchildren's birthdays, and I am so thankful that I went shopping in February. Matthew's family had special home worship services and invited us to facetime as he gave us a Bible lesson, Christopher gave us a Sunday School lesson, Meredith and Nate played the piano, and little Benjamin sang, "Jesus Loves Me." We also enjoy talking with our children and grandchildren on the phone, but I will be so glad when this is over, and I can spend time with them in person. My sisters and I have already decided that we want to have a big party when it is safe to get together and celebrate Easter and the special days we are missing. I praise the Lord for family. I know that it is hard on those who are closed in with children and the responsibilities of their school work, and the new struggle of working from home. It must be hard on those who are spending their time alone, day after day. I am thankful that Michael and I are in this together. Keep in touch with each other. And pray for those who are sick and suddenly find themselves isolated away from their closest loved ones. Let's just praise the Lord for family! "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalm 127:3)
9. Praise The Lord He Lives!
Happy Easter! We may not be celebrating Easter like we usually do, with church services, and family dinners, but we can still praise the Lord. Jesus lives! He died on the cross to pay for our sin, and He rose again. As I see all the worship services posted on social media I think about how God can use even these dark times for His glory. People who are searching for truth can find it. A grave could not hold our Lord. He is alive and reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords! Let's just praise the Lord, He lives!
"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)
10. Praise The Lord He Is Coming Again!
I missed going to church Easter Sunday. I missed having lunch with my family. We feel like we have lost the "comforts" that we have grown used to having. The virus has disrupted our lives. But, don't lose hope. God's Word gives us hope and comfort. Jesus died on the cross, but that was not the end. Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, but that was not the end. Jesus is coming again! And those who have put their faith and trust in Him, and believed that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, will go to live eternally in heaven. Jesus comforted the disciples with these words.
"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)
The Apostle Paul also gives us hope and comfort in his letter to the church at Thessalonica. Let's just priase the Lord, He is coming again!
"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 4:16-18)
11. Praise The Lord For Another New Day
A few weeks ago I took my calendar off the wall and put it on the far end of the kitchen table where I sit to read my Bible and write in my journal. Since that time, every time I look up on the wall behind my computer, I see December 2019. I finally told myself that this is enough... time that seems to stand still... not knowing what day it is... because each day seems just like another since I am home everyday. So, I put my calendar back on the wall behind my desk. And today, I am praising the Lord for another new day! It is Easter Monday and the Lord is still in control. If you are spending time at home alone, remember that the Lord is with you. If you are going to work under these hard circumstances, remember that the Lord is with you. If you have lost a loved one and don't have anyone to sit with you and comfort you, remember that the Lord is with you. You may not feel like you have much to rejoice over during these hard times, but God has given you another day. Talk with the Lord and see how He wants you to spend this day for His glory. Sometimes when I call a friend to try to encourage her, I am the one who feels blessed and encouraged. Let's just praise the Lord for another new day! "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
12. Let's Just Praise The Lord At All Times
I was reading some of the devotionals from two years ago, and I want to share this one with you today as a reminder that little eyes are watching and little ears are listening during these troubled times.
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 Psalm 34:1, "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Let's Just Praise The Lord At All Times!
13. Let's Praise The Lord For All He Has Done
I am reading in the book of Psalms and enjoying these songs of praise. I noticed that many of them praise the Lord for what He has done. There are Psalms of praise for His creation. "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." (Psalm 33:6) "The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (Psalm 95:5-6) We are also reminded that God has heard and answered our prayers. "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer." (Psalm 66:19) Some Psalms remind us of how Jesus died to save us... "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?..." (Psalm 22:1) Because of all the Lord has done, we can trust in Him to keep us safe and secure. "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved." (Psalm 62:6) "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." (Psalm 56:3-4) I could not name all the Psalms of praise about what the Lord has done, so I will sum it all up with God's loving kindness. "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." (Psalm 63:3-4) Let's Just Praise The Lord For All He Has Done!
14. Let's Praise The Lord For Who He Is!
Today I want to praise the Lord for who He is! We don't have to feel defeated, when we are on the Lord's side! "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2) We don't have to worry about eternity when we know Jesus as our Savior! "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) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) We don't have to live in fear when our God is watching over us! "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) We serve a great God! He deserves all our praise! "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:16) "Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant." (Psalm 135:3) Let's Just Praise The Lord For Who He Is!
15. Let's Just Praise The Lord For He Alone Is Worthy!
Sometimes, especially now while I am in the house more, I watch the house hunter shows. I started noticing how many houses have little statues sitting on the mantle or a shelf. We read in the Bible about the false gods, but I often forget that people still worship false gods today. My God is alive and watches over me and I can't imagine how people worship and give their praise to an inanimate object. We read in Psalm 115:3-8.
"3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." (Psalm 115:3-8)
There are also people that give their praise to men and women, or sports' teams, or other people of entertainment. God is that only One who is worthy of our praise. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:11) The book of Psalms ends, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6) And one day, every knee will bow to worship our Lord! "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) Let's Just Praise The Lord!
