A Song of Thanksgiving

November 17, 2024 Background Scripture: Psalm 100 Lesson Passage: Psalm 100 As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, we should allow this psalm to remind us of the many reasons for which we should be thankful. Our gratitude for God is expressed in personal praise of God. No matter how small the incident or overwhelming the miracle, praise to God is the appropriate response to the blessings from God. We often take for granted clean air, water, and adequate food. Yet, someone somewhere is praying for each, if not all, of these. Sadly, we live in a country with the general mentality that blessings from God are those things beyond our basic needs. We see our basic needs as privileges we receive because we were born into this world. Sometimes it takes a funeral to remind us that life is a blessing. I believe that we bring ourselves to spontaneous praise as individuals by simply taking time to count our blessings one-by-one. That certainly causes me to praise God and offer a prayer of gratitude. But what about group praise and worship? I have seen people appear to be overjoyed talking about God and I was not moved emotionally by it. I have heard spiritual songs sang and I could not relate to the lyrics. I have also been around praise and worship of God that was contagious. I cannot delineate what separates the one from the other in terms of how I was affected by the testimony or praise and worship of others. I just know that some praise and worship of God is contagious. And when it occurs, eve1Y professed saved person who's there catch what's in the atmosphere. The words, or lyrics, of Psalm 100 often has that effect on hearers. It begins with the opening verse which encourages others to give a shout of joy to the Lord. This admonishment goes forth to everybody all over the world and throughout succeeding generations. It is as relevant for people of the world today as it was thousands of years ago when it was written. It is not a command as much as it is a reminder to refocus our priorities to consider the God of creation who caused us to exist today. We thank God for life! And when one discovers God's assignment for one's life, it is a joy for us to know what God expects of us that would be pleasing to Him. It is that service we render unto Him with gladness. When we cannot express it with mere words of gratitude, we rely on the spirit-inspired lyrics of the saints of old. Those lyrics become our song as we experience God's very presence with us. To know that there is only one true and living God is satisfying. But to know that He allows us to come to know Him exudes worship from our innermost being. He is our creator! We are because He is. We were formed in His image and likeness. He has called us His peculiar treasure. We are not just His creation; we are His children and very special possession. We are blessed to enter a place where God promises to make His presence known in a special way. We celebrate this even as we enter the place of worship. We are confident that God meets us at the place of worship. We are also confident and grateful that God always meets us at our time of need no matter where we might be at the time. Even when we have been unfaithful towards Him, God's mercy and grace always supersedes His righteous judgment. Only God can judge our sin and totally spare the sinner a just punishment that is due, Only God cares enough about us that He suffered the consequences of our sin so that holiness would prevail, and we would be spared. Everything about God is eternal. His person, mercy, and truth. And for this, we make a joyful noise throughout all lands to the glory of our God! Robert C. Hudson October 28, 2024

Songs of Praise

November 10, 2024 Background Scripture: Psalm 146 - 150 Lesson Passage: Psalm 146, 150 Israel had many occasions throughout their history in which they offered praise to God as a nation. Many of those occasions are recorded in the bible. Although some praise was spontaneous, much was carefully orchestrated so the masses of Israel could participate in the singing of praise to God. Skilled singers and musicians were organized to lead the nation during times of national praise and worship of God. This certainly was appropriate at the dedication of the second Temple and the dedication of the wall around Jerusalem after Israel's return from Babylonian captivity. It is recorded in Ezra that, "the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy." Nehemiah records, "Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps," The Book of Psalms, the psaltery, is known as the hymn book of Israel. The psalms were used for private devotions as well as public assemblies. They were written over a period that covered at least one thousand years from the time of Moses to the time of Ezra. There were many different authors for most of the psalms. Yet, the names of some authors remain anonymous even today. This is the case for the five psalms that comprise the Background Scripture for today's lesson. The Book of Psalms is all about the praiseworthiness of God. How does one close out such an amazing choreography of praise to God? These five psalms provide a fitting closing for the psaltery as it is arranged in the bible today, The full range of human emotions and experience is represented in the Book of Psalms. However, the five psalms under consideration today all focus on praise of God. Each psalm in our Background Scripture opens and closes with the same declaration, "Praise the Lord!". "Praise the Lord!" Is the English translation of the Hebrew word, "Hallelujah!" The other expressions recorded in these psalms suggest they were sung to an upbeat tempo. The voices of the singers/worshipers would have echoed praises to the God of Israel. In Psalm 146, God is praised as the one who helps the descendants of Jacob. The psalmist reminds worshipers that the help provided by people is always temporary because their lives are finite. God, on the other hand, is infinite in existence and blessings. God has a track record of deliverance of the righteous. In Psalm 147, God is praised as the God of nature and life. He is the provider for all. Yet, He delights in the self-sufficiency of none. The Lord delights in those who turn to Him for help. God made Israel His own special people. It is through Israel that God reaches out to all mankind. Jesus stated it plainly, "Salvation is of the Jews." In Psalm 148, even nature is called upon to offer praise to God. He is worthy because He created everything. It is fitting that His creation should praise Him. There is none comparable to God. In Psalm 149, Israel is again called upon to praise God by singing a new song to Him. God is praised as King, Savior, and Judge, The saints of God are called to celebrate in His glory. We glory in God knowing that disobedient rulers and nations will be punished by Him. God elevates His saints above all political dignitaries in this world. Finally, Psalm 150 closes the psaltery by declaring where to praise God, why to praise God, and what to use to praise God. Then the cry goes out for everything with the breath of life in it to, "Praise the Lord!" Hallelujah! Robert C. Hudson October 26, 2024