SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 68:4.    Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
 
Oh Friends, it’s another beautiful day in the life! And I surely hope that we all gave the Lord some thanks and praise for causing us to see it. It would be rather ungrateful and unbecoming of us if we didn’t offer some gratitude for all the mercies and blessings He showers down on us each new day. But I know that our Scrip-Bit family is full of true believers who praise our wonderful God every day, and sincerely seek to do His will, so I’m not worried about our thanksgiving or our LOVE for Jehovah God. And please don’t make me a liar! (smile) Now here’s a simple but interesting quote from Real Estate Agent, Rob Kelly’s Christmas Newsletter. It’s attributed to George Herbert (1593-1633) the Welsh born English poet, orator and Anglican priest, and says: ‘Every mile is two in winter.’ And it sure does seem so at times Friends! Those days when you have to trudge through the calf-high snow and /or sludge, and it’s so cold, although the sun’s shining brightly, that you’re afraid to breathe…Steups! Then every mile doesn’t seem like two, but more like five! (smile) But yuh know what, we believers, especially those in the cold climes, are extremely hardy stock, and with Jesus ruling our lives, we ought to be. For Jesus, if nothing else was physically strong when He lived on earth. He had to be from walking all those endless miles to preach the gospel. Note, the only time the Good Book describes Him not walking is during His triumphant entrance to Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, not even a magnificent charger or great chariot, but a lowly donkey. Hn, hn! Most of us today, with our comparatively easy lives, would die if we had to walk anywhere. See how we always look for the nearest parking spot to the door, when we go out. That alone shows how we detest walking, which is so good for both body and soul. Anyway Friends, I want to continue with our Bit of the last couple days, because it’s so important that we give praise to Jehovah Jireh, our great Provider, for all the things He’s done, is doing, and plans to do for us. We all know that if we do something good for others and they don’t even offer a perfunctory thanks, then we get all peeved and miffed, which doesn’t encourage us to do anymore good for that particular person, and even people in general. Well just think how our God feels when He showers us with His LOVE and we don’t even say a simple ‘Thank you Lord.’ So let’s do as our Bit says nuh: ‘Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol (praise) him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.’ Wow mih people! And yuh know that last part there about ‘rejoice before him,’ that brings to mind Bruh David’s behaviour when they brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem. The Good Book declares: ‘And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.’ (2 Sam.6:14) Yes Friends, there was much singing and rejoicing when the physical symbol of the Lord’s avowed care and concern for Israel was brought to Jerusalem. The scholars say Bruh David’s ‘dancing or whirling about was an expression of spiritual joy.’ Likewise, we can and should also give expression to our spiritual joy. Jesus died that we might be redeemed of our sins, and that certainly is something to be overjoyed about and give much thanks and praise for. Now let’s take a look at some scriptures that praise and honour God, so that some, if not all of the praise can psychologically rub off on us. (smile) And there’s nobody that does that as well as Bruh David. Yes, I am biased. (smile) So here goes: From Psalm 29 – the voice of the Lord in the storm – he proudly proclaims: ‘Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty (majesty) of holiness.’ (Ps.29:1-2) And from Psalm 30 – a thanksgiving for deliverance from death – he loudly declares: ‘I will extol thee O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.’ (Ps.30:1) Meanwhile, the psalmist in Psalm 66 – the great works of God – cried out: ‘Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled (praised) with my tongue.’ (Ps.66:16-17) And finally Friends, a scripture that truly shows the greatness of our God. We talking about when the pagan king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, was humbled by God for his pride and arrogance, and made to behave like an animal for seven years. (Daniel 4) By the way, the scholars claim that Neb’s behaviour is physically possible because there’s a mental illness called zoanthropy, where a man thinks and behaves like an animal. However, listen to Neb’s testimony, when he finally regained his sanity. ‘Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement (justice): and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (humble).’ (Dan.4:37) Oh Friends, if a pagan king’s heart can be so changed that he extols our God in such fashion, why can’t we supposed believers do the same eh? That’s a question for each of us to mull over and decide individually. Much LOVE!…to praise Him…to praise Jesus…my Lord and Saviour…that’s all I’m living for…