Praise - Take 6 Solomon

In II Chronicles chapters 1 through 7, we learn about Solomon’s first years as king. We all know Solomon was the heir to the throne. He asked God for wisdom to rule the people. God granted his request. Prior to his death, his father David made extensive preparations for the temple building. Solomon continued with the preparations. He built the temple, brought the ark of the covenant and placed it inside, and dedicated the temple. All throughout, praises were lifted up to the Lord. In turn, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

When we, as humans, miss our family or friends; we can call, write, or visit them. We want to spend time with them. We want to enjoy their company. Few hours seem like mere minutes. If they are coming over for a visit, we ensure our dwelling is in tip top shape. We prepare their favorite foods and drinks. We greet them with a huge smile, hug, and kiss when they arrive. We ensure they do not need anything while in our home. How is God different? When we praise Jesus Christ, His presence is sensed. He fills us with His Spirit. I Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” We are the vessel the Holy Spirit indwells. Ephesians 2:22, “… in him (Jesus) you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Is the vessel clean and welcoming? Does the vessel feed the Holy Spirit and starve sin and the flesh? Is the vessel longing for the Holy Spirit to visit and reside within? Does the vessel enjoy God’s company? If so, then the Holy Spirit will feel right at home in the vessel. If not, He will reveal what needs to be changed when asked. 

Praise - Take 5 David

Some of the readings: I Chronicles chapters 11 through 29.

Have you ever seen a warrior such as David? He was courageous from his youth when he killed the lion and bear while shepherding. He was the hero in David verses Goliath. He was a splendid harpist. He was a remarkable psalmist. He loved God. He was a fast thinker and a quick runner. Otherwise Saul would’ve killed him. He fled from Saul and knew how to hide.  He was exiled due to Saul’s jealousy. He feigned insanity. He was good looking. He loved women. He sure knew how to pick them. He was too busy for his many children. He brought about many great victories for Israel. He deciphered friend from foe. He demanded respect. He set up temple worship. He made extensive preparations for the temple building. He constantly praised God. This list is far from complete. Have you ever seen such a hero?

Imagine for a moment that you are a refugee. No, wait. Let us back up a bit. Imagine that God made a promise to you like David and the kingship. Everything is peaceful. Then you sense a spiritual shift. Opposition comes at you from every side. Instead of finding yourself running towards achieving the promise, you find yourself being pushed far, far away. Every time you come out alive from each situation, you anticipate death to overtake you at the next ordeal. You look around you at your companions and notice all the misfits of the world are commiserating with you for you alone understand them. A year approaches and passes by without finding you a place to call your own. Someone is constantly seeking your life. Tears are your best friends. You struggle to stay away from the darkest place in your soul. The saddest thing is: you did not do anything to deserve any of these circumstances. You learn to fight. You learn true heroism. You learn to pray. You learn to praise God for in Him is the real victory.

One of the themes in the Bible is the promise one. After a promise is made by God, a person or a group of people enter the wilderness. This wilderness does not have to be a real place like in the Exodus story. It is mainly internal where God is testing and pruning. Some make it to the other side and God brings His promises to fruition. Some die in the desert without any fulfilled promise. Which one are you?

Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:161-162.

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49-50.

Thomas Kinkade Painting

Praise - Take 4 Amalekites

 

In Exodus 17:8-15, we see that the Amalekites attacked the Israelites. Joshua was fighting them while Moses held up his hands. As long as Moses’ hands were lifted, Israelites were winning. As soon as he lowers them, the Amalekites were winning. 

It has been known that hand or arm raising is a way to magnify / praise God as referenced in Psalms 63:4 and 134:2. Some have deemed it as praying to God as shown in Lamentations 2:19 and 3:41. It has been known that Amalekites in the Bible symbolize the flesh or the sinful nature. Some have claimed that we; as born again, blood washed, sanctified, redeemed Christians; have three enemies.  These are satan, the world, and the sinful nature. At times, the battle with the sinful nature can be more intense than the one with satan and the world combined. For the former is within, whereas; the other two are without. Just know that all battles are experienced by the majority if not all and you are not alone no matter what anyone says. If you ever find yourself in the middle of a storm and could not or would not reach out to a prayer partner, just praise Jesus Christ. Cannot praise Him? Just focus on Him. Cannot do that either? Ask Him to pray for you. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus …” found in I Timothy 2:5. Or ask Him to have someone pray for you. Don’t be surprised if a very unlikely person approaches you days later to inform you that he or she has been praying for you. Sounds strange? True that ... but it works every time!

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18