Previous Service
Welcome
“The Lord has given gifts to each one of us and as we use them to serve others we will bring glory to His holy Name and people will be restored, healed and blessed – ‘His Name is ointment poured forth’ (S of S).”
Stella
Worship
Word
“Praise the Lord” – There are many who have testified to how things changed once they started praising the Lord. The classic example in the Scriptures is found here:
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom … It is already in … En Gedi”. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
2 Chron 20:2-4
The Word that came from the Lord, during this prayer time was through Jahaziel, one of the prophets,
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them.
2 Chron 20:15-16
The solution and result:
Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendour of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
2 Chron 20:21-22
We have looked on previous occasions at the change that came about in Habakkuk as a result of him hearing the word of the Lord, that one day …
… the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. .
Habakkuk 2:14
He went from being one who had many complaints against the Lord, one who appeared utterly forlorn and defeated (Habakkuk 1:2-4; 1:12-2:1) to one who resolves to praise and worship Him whatever the outcome,
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Ultimately we should praise the Lord for who He is first and foremost, and not for what we can get out of Him, or for what He can do for us. A great example of this is found in Acts where Paul and Silas have been dragged by the mob, severely beaten with rods and then imprisoned in an inner cell with their feet securely fastened in the stocks, Acts 16:16-24. Their response to the Lord for whom they were suffering,
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25
Look what happened next!
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Acts 16:26
How different life would be if we were all people who first and foremost praised the Lord in all things, so Father, help us by Your Spirit, in Jesus Name, Amen!
Quote of the week
“It is a heresy of our times to divide life into sacred and secular. Christ is concerned in all things” (Foulkes)
Verse of the week
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who … made known to us the mystery of His will … to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Eph. 1:3, 9-10
Let’s Pray
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above you heavenly hosts. Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost, Amen!