PRAISE THE LORD

PRAISE THE LORD

Proclamation:

"I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High." Psalms 9:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

The human author of this psalm was King David, who wrote it under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  David was essentially praising God for protecting the people of Israel from their enemies and for being God.  His praise was sincere and whole-hearted.  His joy was because of who God is rather than what He had done.

Application:

As believers we should praise The Lord during the times when things are good in our lives and when things are not so good.  No matter what happens to us we should give God praise.  God knows what has happened, why it happened, and what the results will be because it happened.  Everything will work for our benefit. (Romans 8:28)  We cannot see the big picture or the future and God knows everything.  He has blessed us in more ways than we can count.  He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.  We should dedicate ourselves to the sincere worship and praise of God.  He has done great things throughout history and in each of our lives.  He gives us what we need, let's give Him what He wants and that is our praise.

DO NOT LET THE ROCKS SPEAK FOR YOU

Proclamation:

"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!'  'I tell you,' He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'" Luke 19:39-40 (NIV)

Explanation:

In the gospel according to Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, these words were recorded which Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in the crowd of His disciples.  As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, (Luke 19:28), riding on the young colt, (Luke 19:33-35), the crowd began to shout praises unto Him. (Luke 19:37-38)  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke them, and tell them to be quiet. (Luke 19:39)  Jesus responded to them by saying "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 

Application:

As believers, we should praise The Lord God loudly and often. (Psalm 100:1)  In fact, we are encouraged to praise Him continually. (Psalm 34:1)  For He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  He does not need us to give Him praise, but He will be praised.  If we do not praise Him, then the rocks will praise Him. (Luke 19:40)  So, let us praise Him.  Let us praise often and frequently.  Let us praise Him so that the rocks will not have to speak for us.  The Lord God is truly worthy to be praised.

Do Not Let The Rocks Speak For You

"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!'  'I tell you,' He replied, 'if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.' "  Luke 19:39-40 (NIV)

In the gospel according to Luke, the physician, these words were recorded which Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in the crowd of His disciples.  As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, (Luke 19:28), riding on the young colt, (Luke 19:33-35), the crowd began to shout praises unto Him. (Luke 19:37-38)  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke them, and tell them to be quiet. (Luke 19:39)  Jesus responded to them by saying "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 

As believers, we should praise The Lord God loudly and often. (Psalms 34:1, Psalms 35:27, and Psalms 100:1)  In fact, we are encouraged to praise Him continually.  For He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. (Psalms 18:3, Proverbs 3:9, Romans 15:6, and Revelation 19:1)  He does not need us to give Him praise, but He will be praised.  If we do not praise Him, then the rocks will praise Him. (Luke 19:40)  Let us praise Him so that the rocks will not have to speak for us.  The Lord God is truly worthy to be praised.