January 1 Promises of Praise(1) -- God's Presence (translated from www.glorypress.com )
Scripture: Psalm 22; 84:4
Key verse: Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;you are the praise of Israel.(Ps 22:3)
References: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."Matthew 1:23
Food for Thought:
"Praise" is the greatest grace God has bestowed on his creatures (especially on men).It is a key that directly leads to heaven, the best offering to God, as mentioned in the Westminster Catechism:"The chief end of men is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
Also, in Psalm 73:25-26, the psalmist says;"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God is the source of all blessings, and He is the only one who can satisfy the void in a human being.
Since men are created by Him, therefore, Paul teaches us:"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."(I Corinthians 10:31). The original language for 'glory'connotes a concept of "praise".
In today's key verse, it mentions that "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;you are the praise of Israel"When we open our mouths to praise, God would establish a throne(tabernacle) in our midst, for he is Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14;Matthew 1:23), and He is Jehovah-Shamah (Ezekiel 48:35) Not only does He promise us of His presence when we bring praises to Him, He would also dwell among His people of praise.
January 2 Promises of Praise (2) – God’s Deeds(translated from www.glorypress.com )
Scripture: Deut. 10:12-11:25
Key verse: He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10:21
References: Psalm 75:1; 105:1; 139:14; 150:2
We give thanks to you, O God,we give thanks, for your Name is near;men tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are woderful,I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Psalm 150:2
Food for Thought:
"Praise" can open the spiritual eyes, and enable us to see the wonderful deeds of God, leading us to transcend time and space and experience God’s almighty work.
In today’s passage, we read Moses’ reminder to the Israelites after they wander in the wilderness for forty years what they learned in the wilderness at the east of Jordan River. He said:” He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” Deuteronomy 10:21
How often do we live in the grace of God but are oblivious of that? How often do we experience of God’s abundant provision but forget to offer up thanksgiving and praise? When we are in times of prosperity, we tend to think that they are the fruit of our own labors. But once we are in times of trouble, we would start grumble and doubt God’s care and presence. In the old days, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years for a journey that could have been accomplished in a few months due to their constant complaint and testing to God. Here Moses issues challenge to the second generation Israelites of those that fled Egypt.:”And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13.
Beloved, let us not forget to pay tribute to the wonder working God. Remember to give Him praise and laud that are rightfully His.
January 3 Promises of Praise (3) – God’s Lovingkindness(translated from www.glorypress.com )
Scriptures:Psalm 136:1-26
Key Verse: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 136:1
Scriptural References:Job 10:12;Psalm 33:18,22; 35:5,7
Food for Thought:
"Praise" enables men to have a deeper understanding of God’s everlasting lovingkindness. Through unceasing praises, God would quench the thirst in our soul. “Lovingkindness” is the most wonderful attribute of God. His lovingkindness is not only incomparable, unfathomable, but also everlasting.The Lovingkindness of God is the basis on which God accomplishes great things for us.
David aptly exclaimed:” The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”Psalm 138:8 God’s lovingkindness is endless. No matter what circumstances we are in, regardless of how pitiful our sinful nature is, God would never cease to exercise His wonderful love to us. When Job was in the deepest abyss of pain, he would still proclaim with faith: “You have granted me life and lovingkindness; And Your care has preserved my spirit.” Job 10:12
In Psalm 136, we see the repetitious expression Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,For His lovingkindness is everlasting. This is to remind us not to forget to count the many blessings that God has bestowed on us. Do not stop utterances of praises to God. Do not neglect God’s lovingkindness, mercy, faithfulness and goodness.
Beloved, are you trapped in the low points of your life?
Do you feel lonely and helpless?
Are you facing enemies from all sides?
Look to the Lord for his lovingkindness(Psalm 33:18,22).
Prasie and give thanks to the one who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting(Psalm 136:4)
January 4 Promises of Praise (4) – God’s Deliverance(translated from www.glorypress.com )
Scriptures:2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Key Verse: When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed 2 Chronicles 20:22
Scriptural References:
Exodus 17:1-16;Zechariah 22:47; 1 Chronicles 16:35; Psalm 106:47; Jeremiah 20:13
Food for Thought:
“Praise” would always have its timely response. “Praises” can move the hands of God to turn the tide and manifest God’s mighty power of deliverance.
Today’s passage is a resounding testimony of this truth. In those days the nation of Judah was facing the imminent attack of hostile allies ready to be annihilated any moment. King Jehoshaphat sought the Lord fasted and prayed: "O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." 2 Chronicles 20:12 God responded to him through a Levite Jahaziel :” You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem ' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you." As a result, Jehoshaphat sent out singers to praise Jehovah, an act that had no prescedence. They were clad in holy attires and marched in praise in front of the armies singing their praises to their God Jehovah.
And then, behold! Miracles happened! “When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. (2 Chronicles 20:22). Throught the praises to God, the Lord reached down and delivered Judah, wiped out their enemies and turned their crisis into peace.
Beloved, “Praise” can accomplish far more than what we can imagine and hope for. “Praise” is the powerful weapon granted from God for us to overcome Satan.
January 5 Promises of Praise (5) – God’s Healing(translated from www.glorypress.com )
Scriptures:Jeremiah 17:12-14
Key Verse: Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;save me and I will be saved,for you are the one I praise.Jeremiah 17:14
Scriptural References:
Exodus 15:26;Psalm 103:1-3; Psalm 107:20-21; Isaiah 58:8;Jeremiah 3:22
Food for Thought:
“Praise” and healings are inseparable. Through men’s “praise”, God releases His mighty power of healing. God’s healing of men is not limited to our physical or mental ailments but also include the sickness in our spirit.
The “weeping prophet” Jeremiah understood this promise profoundly as he said:” Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; (Jeremiah 17:14).
This prayer with praise was issued in the midst of his great suffering and affliction.
The “prophet of salvation” Isaiah had his own interpretation of healing which greatly impresses us. ” But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Beloved! Let us seek to know our Lord, the One who created us, the One who became flesh. He endured great pain in His sinless life, exchanging His stripes and wounds on the Cross for the healing grace we enjoy. How much we should learn to praise God like King David:” Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; Psalm 103:1-3. Are you praying for healing from the hands of the almighty God? Start first with “praises” now!
January 6 Promises of Praise (6) – God’s Care (translated from http://www.glorypress.com/ )
Scriptures: Luke 1:67-69
Key Verse: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people Luke 117:14
Scriptural References:Psalm 8:4; Psalm 23:1; 50:23
Food for Thought:
“Praise” is the best gift finite, humble man can offer to the infinite and eternal Creator of the universe. Prophet Isaiah exclaimed in awe:” Who can measure the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breath of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has informed Him? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,and are regarded as a speck of dust.”( Isaiah 40:12,13,15).
Why would this matchless God care about the praises from us finite men? This is a mystery beyond us. But the clouds of witnesses testified the dynamic impact of praise and the corresponding presence and pleasure of God, as exclaimed by David: ”What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4).
The word “mindful” in the original language means “careful attendance”. Notice that this word was used more than three hundred times in the Old Testament, and more than ten times in the New Testament. It conveys the concept of caring, watchful, nurture and remember. In today’s passage, we read that Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, when filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied:” Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.”(Luke 1:68)
The greatest care God had for man was to have forsook his heavenly throne and personally came down to the world as a man, being born in man’s humble form and accomplished the great work of redemption.
Such kind of love is hard to comprehend. It is impossible to return in the same measure. The only thing we should do is to sincerely and whole-heartedly give praise to Him. Through the psalmist God once said;” He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me.” (Psalm 50:23). Yes, “Praises and giving thanks” are the most direct way to “glorify” God’s wonderful work.
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