Today’s Scrip-Bit   21 May 2024 Psalm 47:6.

21 May 2024 Leave a comment

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Psalm 47:6.       Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

And this Tuesday, the 21st day in the month of May, in the year of our Lord 2024, has opened bright and sunshiny with a summer’s warmth that touches the hearts, souls, bodies and minds of those who have been cooped up in a long winter season. And it’s just the natural instincts of the human animal to celebrate such a day with joy and laughter, even though today we have to go to work after the long Victoria Day weekend. (smile) 

Yes friends, summer’s in the air! And I know it by the constant noise of lawn mowers that is now disturbing the peace of my neighborhood. Chuh! No time is sacred to these mowers of lawns – from early morning to late evening somebody is out there mowing the li’l piece of grass around their houses that they seem to cherish so much. Even my own lawn care person comes at a time that disturbs my rest. But I guess that’s the price I have to pay for living in such a wonderful neighbourhood. (smile) 

Enough of my complaining though. It’s too beautiful a day, and life is too short to complain, so let’s do the right thing and turn to the Lord’s word and find something to exhort and educate us. And all God’s people said a loud and proud, “Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy to us underserving children of men!” 

And what gem of scripture will we look at today eh? Psalm 47 from the pen of the Sons of Korah seems like a good place to be today, for it talks about exactly what is definitely needed a lot more in this crazy and strife-filled world. It’s aptly titled, ‘Exalt the Lord Most High.’ And that’s one of the many things we were made for, but which we don’t do in sufficient quantity or quality. 

So please read with me: ‘O Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he LOVED. Selah. God is gone up (ascended) with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. 

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen (nations, Gentiles): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.’  (Ps. 47:1-9) That’s wonderful and oh so true news my people! For our God reigns over the whole earth: He is indeed the King, the sovereign ruler of all creation, both in heaven, and on earth, and whatever is under the earth! 

And the scholars offer these explanations on the psalm. ‘Psalm 47 is one of the six psalms of the divine kingdom, the psalm celebrates the Lord’s kingship over all the earth (vs. 9). It begins with a universal call to praise Israel’s God (vs. 1). This is reinforced with reasons: He is an awe-inspiring God (vs. 2), He redeemed Israel and settled them in their land (vs 3-4), and He presently is ruling in Israel. A second call renews the need for praise (vs. 6). It is likewise reinforced with a reason: the revelation that His kingship is destined to be universal (vs. 7-9). These last verses speak prophetically of the time when the Lord Jesus will reign on the earth.’ 

Wow! What a short psalm, but one fully packed with all kinds of good information. Especially that which concerns our praise to the Almighty who created us, bore our sins, and still LOVES us though our waywardness is exceedingly great. Oh friends, anyone who LOVES us that much under the most trying situations, all down through the ages, most surely deserves our heartfelt thanks and praise. For it very truly shows the Lord’s longsuffering nature, since any other lesser God would have long ago, surely destroyed us a second time, like He did with those who lived before the Great Flood, only saving Noah and his family. 

And believe me, the earth is even more disobedient and sinful now than then, for with out expanded knowledge has also come expanded sinful behaviour, which the Lord tried to mitigate with the sending of Jesus to earth to die for our sins and offer us forgiveness and salvation with eternal life. But unfortunately, so far, only a comparative handful of people have accepted that amazing offer. 

Why? I truly don’t know. I can only suppose that the pleasures of sin are more enjoyable than the pleasures of a life with Christ. Also, that leading a Christ-like life is more difficult with all kinds of sacrifices and hard times necessary to fulfil that discipleship. And between the fear of the world, our laziness and LOVE of comfort and material possessions, we simply don’t put forth the effort necessary to do God’s will, so that He can be properly exalted. Thus the evil-doers are currently ruling the roost. But my people, if we continue in our lackadaisical efforts, one day we will pay a great price for slumbering and sleeping, when we ought to have been diligently working on Christ’s behalf. 

Nuff said, since you can only take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Likewise, we can tell others about Jesus and live a godly lifestyle, but we cannot force them to accept Jesus. So, for those of us who are trying to be faithful, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

And now, it’s our bounden duty to go out and share that amazing LOVE  and friendship of Jesus with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…when we sing sincere praises to our God…our hearts soar with joy and peace…

 Hear our podcast at  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 August 2019 Revelation 4:11.

18 Aug 2019 Leave a comment

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Revelation 4:11.    ​Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (by your will they exist.
 

Oh my fellow believers, I bring you warm and plentiful greetings of peace and LOVE this Sunday morning from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Remember it’s the Lord’s Day; the day He rested after creating our universe, and He expects us to get in some rest today too, but also to join together with other believers in sincere fellowship in His sanctuary. And believe me, He doesn’t care whether our meeting place is a splendiferous cathedral, or merely a poor, broken down hovel. 

Remember what Jesus said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) Yes friends, our great and merciful God simply wants us to gather together to worship and praise Him and hear His Word so that we can be encouraged, our faith strengthened to go out and face the enemy with zest and confidence during this upcoming week. So today, please let’s make it a point to gather with believers of like faith and raise our hearts and voices to heaven in praise and exaltation.

And as always, we begin our proceedings with song, today’s being one supposedly chosen in a poll by the Hymn Society in the U.S. and Canada, as being the greatest Christian hymn ever. We call it’ Holy, Holy, Holy.’ Some might not call it the greatest, but it surely is amongst the greatest! It was written by the Anglican pastor Reginald Heber (1783-1826), apparently for use on Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost, a feast day in honour of the Holy Trinity. 

As you can see it speaks specifically of the Holy Trinity with several references to passages of scripture in the Good Book. The claim has also been made that John Bacchus Dykes composed a tune for this hymn in 1861 and titled it ‘Nicaea’ as a tribute to the First Council of Nicaea, which formalized the doctrine of the Trinity in 325. 

And now that we have all that knowledge of the tune’s origins, let’s sing it in loud, harmonious voice nuh, making heaven sit up and take notice. All together now: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy. sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. 

Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man, Thy glory may not see: Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power in LOVE, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and mighty, God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and mighty, God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!’ 

Oh my people, I’m sure that all three personages of our Trinity were touched by that soulful and harmonious rendition! You know our God likes His praise. (smile) As the sons of Korah sang: ‘Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.’  (Ps.47:6-7) 

But the words themselves are ever so relevant to the believer’s life.  Just listen to these sentiments nuh. ‘Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.’ And so should it my faithful brethren. Bruh David enshrined it in Psalm 5 when he declared: ‘My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.’ (Ps.5:3) And our God sure is ’Merciful and Mighty! No doubt about that whatsoever. 

As Isiah said when the Lord commissioned him, and he saw the wonder of the Lord on His throne with the seraphim all around Him. ‘And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.’ (Is.6:3) And so it is indeed my people! 

Then in the second verse of the hymn, we have the vision of John per the activities in heaven: ‘And round about the throne were four and twenty seats (thrones): and upon the seats (thrones) I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment (robes), and they had on their heads crowns of gold…. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts (living creatures) full of eyes (symbolizing wisdom) before and behind. 

And the first beast was like a lion (representing strength), and the second beast like a calf (representing service), and the third beast had a face as a man (representing intelligence), and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle (representing swiftness). And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him (depicting movement); and they were full of eyes within: and they rest (cease) not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

And when those beasts (living creatures) give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (by your will they exist.’ (Rev.4:4, 6-11)) 

And that says it all friends! The scholars though expand on it some: ‘4:9-11. All of heaven worship the Father. The angels extol His character, and the elders (church) extol His creative powers. God has the right to rule and the sovereign authority to judge the earth, because He is both holy and the Creator of all.’ Please let’s remember that and live accordingly my fellow believers in Christ, for it will stand us in good stead down the road. Much LOVE!

…our Godhead…perfect in power…in LOVE…and in purity…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 March 2016 Judges 5:3‏

16 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Judges 5:3.   Hear,  O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes: I, even I, will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

Oh my people, another beautiful day has dawned on God’s great earth, and along with it our responsibility to walk like the children of God that we are! Glory Hallelujah! 

And our God is so great that He gives us all the tools we need to do His work. Glory to God! 

So let’s not bicker and complain this glorious Wednesday morn. Instead, let’s raise our voices and wail our Wednesday Wail with joyful enthusiasm and grateful appreciation. 

As one now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. 

My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

Yes precious people, that’s what we ought to be doing and feeling; be grateful that we’re still alive, for a lot of others names are in the obits today, but not ours. For that we ought to be rather thankful. 

Then we have to be serious about doing God’s work; being diligent and steadfast about it, while believing and looking forward to a wonderful future with Jesus, both down here on earth, and then in heaven for all eternity. 

And all Jesus’ followers declared loud, proud and grateful: ‘Glory to God! Thank You Lord for giving us Jesus as our Messiah, Advocate, Saviour, Brother and Friend! We faithfully promise to do His work, serve, worship and LOVE Him for evermore! Amen.’ 

Now please remember what Cousin Sol says about promises in Ecclesiastes. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl.5:4-5) 

Yes friends, that puts us on the spot, for we have just promised to serve and worship Jesus Christ for ever. So please, let’s not break that vow, let’s keep paying it each and every day, so that we don’t end up as fools in God’s sight. 

And today I want to share a poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, simply titled ‘It’s Good.’ 

Please pray with me. ‘God, it’s good to be LOVED by You! The breathtaking knowledge Of Your life-giving LOVE Rings chimes in my tremulous heart. It fashions eternal declarations Out of unsettled questions. It creates a majestic life symphony from a solitary note. God, it’s good to be LOVED by You!’ 

And isn’t that the awesome truth my brethren! It’s so wonderful to be LOVED by a God as powerful and merciful and forgiving and understanding as ours! Give Him the thanks and praise He rightfully deserves my people! 

And the biblical promise for that prayer comes from Psalm 89 – God’s sure promises to David. Ethan the Ezrahite opens it thus: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’ (Ps.89:1) 

And does that ever fit right in with our Bit, our continuing desire to sing praises to our great God. ‘Hear,  O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes: I, even I, will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.’ 

Oh my fellow believers, I don’t think that we do that as much as we should. We don’t seem to have time, or make time to do as Bruh Paul directed the Ephesians. ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit; 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:18-21) 

Yes friends, that’s how we ought to conduct our lives as true believing Christians! Unfortunately though, not enough of us are doing it to the extent that we should, and that’s why we are not making as powerful a difference in this evil world as we should. 

And we’ll close today with some valuable info from the scholars on those verses. ‘5:19-21. There are four results of being Spirit filled (v.18): (1) believers speak to one another with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; that is, they exhort and instruct each other; 

(2) there is singing and the making of melody, of individual song and praise for the Lord; (3) there is giving thanks always – the Spirit enables the Christian to be grateful for all things divinely allowed to enter his life since they will be used for good;  

(4) there is mutual submission, that is, showing deference to the wishes of one another, as long as that to which the believer submits is in the fear of God, which is to say, in accord with what pleases Him.’ 

And there we have it my brethren; the way we ought to conduct ourselves as true believers in Christ. I therefore implore us, starting today, right now, to get on track and give thanks and sing praises to our wonderful God, the way we ought to, for that is indeed wisdom of the highest order. Much LOVE!

…I will praise the name of God with a song…and will magnify him with thanksgiving… (Ps.69:30)

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 November 2014 Matthew 6:24

30 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 6:24.    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).

Oh Friends and Neighbours, I give you the first, as well as the best day of the week; Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath!

And all of God’s people declared a humble but proud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!’
 
Yes my brethren, Sunday is the day we’re supposed to spend more time in peace and quiet with God, when we’re supposed to fellowship, worship, praise, give thanks and glorify Him, because it’s His day.
 
That doesn’t preclude us from doing those things on the other days, but on Sunday they ought to be done, since it’s special. God sanctified it, made it holy after He created the universe.
 
So today, let’s put aside the worldly cares that are bedeviling us and concentrate our concentration (smile) on our heavenly Father nuh. Let’s consider the good and wonderful things He’s done for us in the past, what He’s doing right now, and what He has promised to do in the future.
 
Our prayers should run something like this poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, titled ‘Dead Giveaway.’ ‘O dear God My heart overflows With proclamations of joy! You are so good So faithful Your LOVING-kindness is so great. I long for my continual gratitude To be a dead giveaway Of my deepening LOVE for You.’
 
Yes my fellow believers, on words like those, truthful ones now, should our communication with the Father be built
 
And the promise listed for that prayer is: ‘I will thank you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.’ (Ps.9:1-2 NLT) And today’s a most excellent day to do all of that my people!
 
Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches).’
 
And as we noted yesterday, that’s not only perfect logic, but also gospel truth! Now let’s look at a couple of scriptures which emphasize the fact that we cannot serve Jehovah God and material wealth at the same time.
 
And we’ll begin with Bruh Paul writing to the Galatians, where he’s making the point that there’s no other gospel but that of Jesus Christ. (Gal.1:6-9)  And he ends that section thus: ‘For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’ (Gal.1:10)
 
Now hear this explanation from the scholars: ‘1:10. For explains the harsh language of verses 3-9. If Paul were to persuade men (i.e, court their favour) or seek to please them by preaching a false gospel they want to hear, he should not be the servant of Christ.’ 
 
That’s oh so true Friends! If we preach anything that’s merely to get man’s favour, we aren’t being true servants of Jesus, but curry favourers of men. Then there are Bruh Paul’s direct instructions to Timothy on the matter.
 
‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
 
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim.7:17-19)
 
And the scholars break down those verses thus: ‘6:17-18. Paul charges wealthy believers (1) not be proud and look down on those who are not rich, (2) to confide in God rather than in unstable riches, (3) to be rich in good works by generously sharing their surplus of financial resources with the needy. To be ready to distribute is to be generous in sharing. To be willing to communicate is to be liberal in giving.’
 
‘6:19. When wealthy believers generously share (v.18), they secure an assurance (laying up in store for themselves a good foundation) that in the future (against the time to come) they will indeed enter heaven (lay hold on eternal life).
 
Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in the light of eternity.’
 
Ah mih breddren, if only more of the wealthy would think like that eh! Then there would not be as much poverty, homelessness and all the other negative things that are currently threatening our way of life and our world. But for one reason or another, those with wealth today seem to hold on to it tighter than a whatever. You supply the figurative word or words. (smile)
 
Please note though Friends, that advice of Bruh Paul’s isn’t only for the filthy rich, but also for the fairly well-off like us. We all have to give generously according to our means. Remember Jesus’ admonition to the disciples.
 
‘And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites (small copper coins), which make a farthing (a roman coin). And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.
 
For all they did cast in of their abundance (surplus); but she of her want (out of her poverty) did cast in all that she had, even all her living (her whole livelihood).’ (Mark 13:42-44)
 
And to show how small was her contribution, the scholars explain: ’12:42. The mite (Heb. lepton) was worth something like one-eight of a cent. It was so small that its stamp was barely legible.’
 
But it wasn’t the actual amount that was so important, but the act of giving, even to her last coins.
 
And per ‘12:43-44. God does not measure giving by conventional human standards.’
 
That’s ever so true! In fact, He doesn’t do anything by conventional human standards, because His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours.
 
Anyway Friends, having pleaded my case on behalf of Almighty God, I hope that we will all make today one of praise, thanksgiving, fellowship, worship and quiet communication with the Father. That’s our bounden duty, as well as heavenly wisdom. Much LOVE!
 
…one can’t properly prepare for Monday…unless one spends precious time with God on Sunday…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 October 2014 Psalm 47:1-2

25 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 47:1-2.    O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.

Aye Friends, what a grand old Saturday it is! God’s on His heavenly throne, and all is well with the world! (smile)
 
But yuh know what mih people, though the world might not be such a great place to be these days, because of the breath of life, the Spirit of our holy and righteous God that’s flowing through our mortal beings, we have that eternal flame, that everlasting fire called HOPE to sustain us!
 
Yes Friends, as they say, while there is life, there is HOPE; and taken to the limit, while there is HOPE, anything is possible!
 
And Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) in His Hour of Power Devotional declares that ‘HOPE is a phenomenon! We don’t know what triggers the birth of HOPE, or where it comes from. But when a person finds HOPE, there is total renewal.’
 
And that’s the living truth, my brethren! For HOPE just brings us back to life, renews our spirit and makes us truly feel that anything is possible! Therefore, what a joy it is to have HOPE in our lives! And HOPE leads to faith.
 
 Remember too, that we can’t have faith without HOPE, for it is that deep down feeling of HOPE that makes faith, or belief in anything at all possible.
 
So the long and short of the story is, that because we have life, we therefore have HOPE, and HOPE makes faith in Jesus Christ possible, and with faith in Jesus Christ comes the certainty that with Him involved in our lives, ANY and EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
 
And all God’s children declared in a loud and lusty voice: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise, and honour, and glory be to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!’
 
And that leads us nicely into our Bit: ‘O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.’
 
Yes Friends, our God is a great ruler over all the earth; a most LOVING and benevolent monarch to boot! Therefore we should indeed clap our hands and triumphantly shout for joy over His goodness and LOVING-kindness towards us, since not many earthly monarchs are thus disposed to their subjects as God is to true believers!
 
Now let’s look at some scripture passages which describe our mighty and wonderful God as such. We’ll start with Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, while the Jews were in captivity in Babylon, after he found out the terrible state that Jerusalem was in; ‘in great affliction (distress) and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.’ (Neh.1:3)
 
That made Nehemiah so distraught that he set about fasting and praying to God for direction. ‘And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible (awesome) God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that LOVE him (you) and observe (keep) his (your) commandments:’ (Neh.1:5)
 
Yes my people, Nehemiah knew of God’s awesome power, as well as His strong faithfulness to His covenants.  And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘1:5. That keepeth covenant and mercy is a refrain from Deuteronomy 7:9 and is related to Exodus 20:6 and 34:6-7. God keeps His “covenant-LOVE” with those who LOVE Him, those in a covenant relationship with Him.’
 
Please check out those scripture references Friends, they are certainly interesting, and will also definitely add to your scriptural knowledge. And remember that we too are in a covenant relationship with Almighty God because of our belief and trust in Jesus Christ.
 
So we too can come to Him in earnest prayer and be assured that He will hear us, and answer in whatever form and fashion He deems necessary and/or adequate. For that reason, we can confidently clap out hands and shout triumphantly about our omnipotent and merciful God!
 
Meanwhile, in Psalm 76 – Asaph ends his song to the victorious God thus: ‘Vow and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. He shall cut off the spirit of princes; he is terrible (awesome) to the kings of the earth.’ (Ps.76:11-12)
 
And we’ll close today with these outstanding and encouraging verses of indisputable truth from Psalm 47, from which our Bit is taken. ‘God is gone up (ascended) with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.’ (Ps.47:5-7)
 
Oh my people, there is no greater wisdom than that in all the universe, in all of heaven and earth! So please, let’s be wise and put it into practice today nuh, knowing that with HOPE and FAITH in Jesus Christ, through prayer and thanksgiving ALL things are indeed possible! Much LOVE!
 
…I can do ALL things through Christ…who strengthens me… (Phil.4:13)
 
P.S. My oh my, what a short Bit this is today! Can’t remember when last I’ve written such a short one. There obviously can be no complaints today about its length! (smile) Much LOVE!