Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Praising God Because He Knows Best” – Wednesday, 3 September 2014 - Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1 Hannah prayed:I’m bursting with God-news!
I’m walking on air.
I’m laughing at my rivals.
I’m dancing my salvation.
2-5 Nothing and no one is holy like God,
no rock mountain like our God.
Don’t dare talk pretentiously—
not a word of boasting, ever!
For God knows what’s going on.
He takes the measure of everything that happens.
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,
while the weak are infused with fresh strength.
The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,
while the hungry are getting second helpings.
The barren woman has a houseful of children,
while the mother of many is bereft.
6-10 God brings death and God brings life,
brings down to the grave and raises up.
God brings poverty and God brings wealth;
he lowers, he also lifts up.
He puts poor people on their feet again;
he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,
Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—
a place in the sun!
For the very structures of earth are God’s;
he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.
He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step,
but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark.
No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle!
God’s enemies will be blasted out of the sky,
crashed in a heap and burned.
God will set things right all over the earth,
he’ll give strength to his king,
he’ll set his anointed on top of the world!
11 Elkanah went home to Ramah. The boy stayed and served God in the company of Eli the priest.
“Praising God Because He Knows Best” by William A. Roberts
The waiting is over, the prayers have been answered, the offering given, and the child dedicated to God’s service. What is there left to do?
Hannah knows what to do–spontaneously, she breaks into song. Though the text calls her words a prayer (v. 1), they are more than that they sound like a paean of praise.
All Hannah can think of is how good God has been. He is the God of all hope. Who, when ecstatic in the presence of God, can think of their problems? Our struggles provide the context for God’s help, and ultimately, they serve to increase our awareness of the support He provides. The result is that our problems pale in comparison to His mercy.
We cannot deny that we will have difficulties in this life, but the power of God overcomes them all. As Hannah proclaims in her joyful song to God her Helper, there is no one like Him. There is nothing like Him. Hannah cries out in joyful praise of God her Helper.
Joy is a defining characteristic of the Christian because God has helped us all. We are all the beneficiaries of His grace–He has made us glad.
Hymn for Today:
Hannah knows what to do–spontaneously, she breaks into song. Though the text calls her words a prayer (v. 1), they are more than that they sound like a paean of praise.
All Hannah can think of is how good God has been. He is the God of all hope. Who, when ecstatic in the presence of God, can think of their problems? Our struggles provide the context for God’s help, and ultimately, they serve to increase our awareness of the support He provides. The result is that our problems pale in comparison to His mercy.
We cannot deny that we will have difficulties in this life, but the power of God overcomes them all. As Hannah proclaims in her joyful song to God her Helper, there is no one like Him. There is nothing like Him. Hannah cries out in joyful praise of God her Helper.
Joy is a defining characteristic of the Christian because God has helped us all. We are all the beneficiaries of His grace–He has made us glad.
Hymn for Today:
"Joy Unspeakable" by Barney E. Warren
1. I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth every need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
2. I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing, I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
3. I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
4. I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll;
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
Thought for Today:
“Praise now is one of the great duties of the redeemed. It will be their employment for ever”(Albert Barnes).He supplieth every need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
2. I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing, I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
3. I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
4. I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll;
It is like a great o’erflowing well,
Springing up within my soul.
Refrain:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.
Thought for Today:
Prayer Needs:
The many young people in Belize will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
____________________________
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States[
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment