First and Last–Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for
He is good, for His steadfast love
endures forever! Psalm 107:1.
He is good, for His steadfast love
endures forever! Psalm 107:1.
Praise God in His sanctuary; praise
Him in His mighty heavens! Psalm 150:1.
Him in His mighty heavens! Psalm 150:1.
First and Last– we Praise the Lord, from the Fifth Book of the Psalms.
What a delight to read forty-three Psalms describing the reasons we
thank God and how to give Him our praises. It often takes a storm in our lives
to bring us to Lord God to worship Him.
God is Good and His Love is steadfast. Our Father God never gives up on
us. How many times as a mother and as a teacher, it seemed difficult to be
patient. As time continues, I learn about the patience of our Lord God. There
were times I am discouraged.
Then I learn Who God is by looking up to see His Creation all about me. The
wind, rain, and the thunder and slashes of lightning in the sky. On
a clear night comes the wonder of His stars. He knows each one by
name.
How is He able to reach anywhere in the universe? How big is He? As a child I
watched the panorama of a series of valleys and hills glide by my view from the
car window. I could envision God’s forefinger smooth the descent of the hills
into the valleys. Everything I see, God created from nothing. The Heavens
and Earth and all living beings were created by Him.
One day I cut an apple open, and the seeds fell out. I see the glory
of God’s creation. Not only did He create, but He also created a way to
perpetuate the creation. Each seed is a miracle from God from the smallest weed
to the gigantic Red Wood tree. And the buzzing mosquito to the large
elephant, from the delicate hummingbird to the lofty Eagle.
Why did He create such wonders? And then He created Man. So God created man
in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them. Genesis 1:27.
Reading Psalm 139:13, For You, formed my inward parts; You knitted me
together in my mother’s womb. Then I read the 16th verse: Your
eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of
them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of
them. You made plans for me before I was born. I often wonder
what God placed in my spirit during the time He formed my inward parts. He
has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into
man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from
the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11. He put a place in our
hearts for which we yearn all our lives–Eternity.
Who is this Jehovah, this Yahweh Who loves us so? His love has been
described in this manner.
God’s Love in Infinite. There is no limit to His love, it is beyond
measure.
God’s Love is Self-existent. It did not
come to Him from somewhere else. It has always been a part of His
character.
come to Him from somewhere else. It has always been a part of His
character.
God’s love is Eternal. It never had a
beginning and will last forever. It exists without limitations of time or
amount.
beginning and will last forever. It exists without limitations of time or
amount.
God’s Love is Self-Sufficient. He does not
need love, nor is He dependent on love to make Him more fulfilled. (Bill
Bright).
need love, nor is He dependent on love to make Him more fulfilled. (Bill
Bright).
How often the truth is discounted in our
world. Yet the Bible is written under the inspiration of our
God. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than
honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get
understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Psalm
119:103-104.
world. Yet the Bible is written under the inspiration of our
God. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than
honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get
understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Psalm
119:103-104.
The sum of your word is truth, and
every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Psalm 119:160.
every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Psalm 119:160.
The Bible contains stories of those who
learned God’s Way of living in righteousness and how they
were transformed. These stories teach us of the power and purpose of
God, and how He Loves.
learned God’s Way of living in righteousness and how they
were transformed. These stories teach us of the power and purpose of
God, and how He Loves.
He loves us so much He sent God the Son,
Jesus Christ to teach us how to live. Through Jesus, we learn how to
pray; we learn Jesus is the sacrifice for our sins; and through Him, we are
forgiven.
Jesus Christ to teach us how to live. Through Jesus, we learn how to
pray; we learn Jesus is the sacrifice for our sins; and through Him, we are
forgiven.
We learn about God the Holy Spirit who
teaches and guides us. He provides us with the Fruit of the Spirit.
When these show up in our everyday living, we know how God loves us.
teaches and guides us. He provides us with the Fruit of the Spirit.
When these show up in our everyday living, we know how God loves us.
But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians
5:22-23.
is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians
5:22-23.
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons, For my heart to find.
(Matt Redman)
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons, For my heart to find.
(Matt Redman)
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all
His hosts! Praise Him, sun
and moon, praise Him, all you shining
stars! Praise Him,
you highest heavens, and
you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:1-4.
His hosts! Praise Him, sun
and moon, praise Him, all you shining
stars! Praise Him,
you highest heavens, and
you waters above the heavens! Psalm 148:1-4.
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise
in the assembly of the godly! Psalm 149:1
in the assembly of the godly! Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord! Praise God in
his sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty
heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise Him according to His
excellent greatness! Psalm 150:1-2
his sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty
heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise Him according to His
excellent greatness! Psalm 150:1-2
Sing like never before, Oh my soul, I’ll worship Your Holy name, Jesus, I will worship Your Holy name. (Matt Redman)
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