“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”—2 Samuel 22:2-4
This week let’s concentrate on worshipping God with our praise.
There are times to intercede on behalf of others; there are times to pray for the sick, for finances, and for God’s leading. And then there are times to …
“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”—1 Samuel 16:7
The context of this statement gives us insight into what God considers of utmost value. Samuel is asked by God to find another king for Israel, and is given specific instructions to go to the house of Jesse near Bethlehem because God was preparing one of his sons to be the next king. From the oldest to the youngest, the …
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and right way.”—1 Samuel 12:23
Do you have to confess the sin of prayerlessness? Samuel, spoke the above words to the people who had clamored for a king, assuring them of his continual prayers on their behalf. He himself was born in answer to his mother’s prayers, and as he grew up he saw the value of prayer as he assumed his leadership position.
“My heart exults in theLord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation…The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven.”—1 Samuel 2:1,10
Surprisingly, this prayer actually was offered to God in response to domestic rivalry. Hannah was bitterly treated by her husband’s “other wife,” who bore children, but Hannah herself was barren. Yes, in those days bigamy and even polygamy were permitted by God. Of course this was never the ideal, God intended marriage to be between one man …
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”—Romans 13:11-14
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor…
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.Live in harmony with one another.Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.Never be wise in your own sight.Repay no one evil for evil, butgive thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.If possible, so far as it …
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”—Romans 11:33-36
Paul rejoices in God’s sovereignty in Israel’s history, both in the nation’s blindness and eventual eagerness to embrace Jesus as Messiah. Contemplating the mysterious and yet glorious greatness of God …
“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsman according to the flesh”—Romans 9:1-3
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them [Israel] is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge”—Romans 10:1,2
“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”—Joshua 24:14, 15
If we think of idolatry as referring only to worshipping pagan gods, …
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”—Joshua 1:8
Most of us wish that God would work on us while we’re asleep so that we could wake to face the day with unwavering confidence and faith! We wish that good intentions, combined with attending church once a week, would bring about permanent changes in our attitudes …
