Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Psalm 149-150
Saturday: Song of Solomon 7-8
Sunday: Revelation 18-22
Praising and thanking God is the highest privilege afforded to us saints. Whether it be offered by glorified believers in heaven or by those living on earth, we are truly blessed to enter God’s presence and exalt His name. The very thought that the Creator God would allow mortal man to come before His throne, beholding the beauty of His holiness and bringing their praise to Him, is a privilege never to be taken for granted. Worshipping God in spirit and truth is the glory of all the saints, an indescribable grace afforded to redeemed believers. To obtain this privileged access before heaven’s throne and ascribe to God the greatness that belongs to Him alone is a prize above all the treasures of this world. Isn’t it a shame we limit our prayer time to the Lord as simply presenting Him our needs we would like for Him to meet and we miss out on simply praising Him for who He is and for what all He has done, is doing, and will do.
Worshipping God is never to be viewed as a rote ritual or as empty drudgery. Rather, it is joyful delight, the highest honor of the Lord’s people. This is the central theme of Psalm 149-150. It is a call to participate in the greatest privilege afforded to the saints… giving glory to the name of God. “Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31) The author and specific circumstances of Psalm 149 are unknown though it is considered to be postexilic. Even in the face of this life-threatening peril, God’s people were invited to come worship God. We are reminded of His all sufficient grace in our lives (vs. 4). Have you thanked God for His grace today? As we must prepare to go forth into battle to defeat our adversaries (the flesh, world, and Devil), we are encouraged to bring our praises to God. May we be reminded to start the new year praising God and continue it throughout the year. Maybe make a habit this next year to thank God for 5 specific things each day. See how long you can go before you are tempted to repeat them. God’s people must learn to praise Him in the midst of turbulent as well as good times. Praising and thanking God puts earthly extremes into perspective.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to praise you when things are good and when things seem bad.
- Lord, please help me to praise you for who you are even if life seems difficult and troubling.
- Lord, please help me to trust you enough to constantly praise and thank you for your amazing attributes that make you God!
Political
- Representative Rachel Hood
- Representative Kara Hope
- Representative Pamela Hornberger