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

21 May 2024 Leave a comment

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

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…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   20 September 2021 Psalm 47:7.

20 Sep 2021 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 47:7.     For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. 

It’s a beautiful morning, a wonderful Monday, Election day in the land! So, despite our many problems and differences of opinions, please be sure to get out and cast your vote, for it’s your biggest responsibility in our democratic way of life. And if you don’t vote, you are not doing your democratic duty.  And if enough of us default on our duty, it can eventually lead to the downfall of the system. But we know that won’t happen, because we are all good and worthwhile citizens and take our duties seriously. 

The problem is that we seem to have adopted the American way of campaigning, where it’s all about spending large sums of money on campaigns and slinging mud. The campaigns have become so nasty and personal, rather than concentrating on party-based promises, that it’s turning off a lot of good folks, who are not accustomed to such tactics, and don’t like them. And that’s exactly why we must get out there and vote and let our displeasure be known, vote for those who we believe will give us the most righteous and godly government. 

And yes, I know that politics is looked upon as a godless and evil occupation, but that’s not totally true, for if we elect godly people, most of them will do the right thing. And that’s where the power of our democracy lies, in the power of the ballot box! The only problem there is to find enough godly people to elect. (smile) But if we believe that God is still the sovereign ruler of the universe, then we will have hope that things will get better rather than worse. That brings us to Psalm 93 – subtitled ‘The Lord is clothed with majesty.’ Exactly what we were just talking about. 

So let’s pray it together nuh. ‘The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself; the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved (shaken). Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted (raised) up, O Lord, the floods have lifted (raised) up their voice; the floods lift (raise) up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh (adorns) thy house, O Lord, for ever.’ (Ps. 93:1-5) 

And all God’s children said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’ Yes friends, our God is still as great as He ever was, and will continue to be the sovereign ruler of His universe! No ifs, ands or buts about it! And the scholars offer this explanation. ‘Psalm 93. This second psalm of the divine kingdom (cf. 47; 96-99) speaks prophetically of the time when the Lord will rule on the earth in the person of the Messiah. The Lord’s kingship is described (vs. 1-2), revealed in nature (vs. 3-4) and present in His house, the temple (vs. 5).’ 

All those psalms mentioned above deal with the Lord’s sovereignty and the Messiah’s reign over the earth. So, let’s hear a few verses from Psalm 47 nuh. ‘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 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. God reigneth over the heathen (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 all gospel truth my people! And if we say we believe in Almighty God, then we ought to believe all of that! And we do have the fulfillment of the first part of the promise; that’s the first coming of the Messiah, Christ Jesus, and we are eagerly awaiting His Second Coming to take us home with Him to those magnificent mansions in the sky. So we believers should be all filled with tons of hope and faith, bursting with joy, because we know that our great and wonderful God keeps all His promises. 

Consequently, this fateful Monday morning, where we are beset by numerous problems, let’s not worry ourselves about the outcome of the elections or any of the stuff that’s causing us anxiety. Instead, let’s do as the Lord has commanded us, take our problems to Him in prayer. In strong and sincere voice then, let’s raise our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to heaven. 

‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Let’s not forget though, that it all hinges on our sincere obedience to God’s divine will. Much LOVE!

…the earth is the Lord’s…and the fulness thereof… the world…and they that dwell therein… (Ps. 24:1))                                                                                                                   

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