Bible Devotion - 5/24/2021

May 24th, 2021

Living the Christian Life Day by Day (Vol 3)

The Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:164, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." When he spoke of praising the Lord seven times a day he was not confining or limiting his praise to just seven times. The word means by extension an indefinite number. The ideal is that his day was filled with praise. He was declaring that he was constantly and continually praising the Lord.

We read in Hebrews 13:15, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." As believers, we are to be as the Psalmist. We are to constantly and continually be praising the Lord.

This week I want us to consider giving God daily praise and learn some important principles & procedures from the life of Hezekiah.

First, as we look at the scene before us we are reminded that:
1. PRAISE SHOULD BE A COMMON EVENT

In some places praise is restrained, even rebuked and ridiculed. For some people, praise is embarrassing, therefore excluded in their life and is an exception. However, as I look at the scene before us I am reminded that praise should be a common practice. It should be something ordinary and normal, not the exception.

Let me set the background to the story. When Hezekiah took the throne he found the spiritual conditions in Judah had reached an all-time low. The Temple had been desecrated, the priests were defiled, and the system of offerings and feasts were discontinued. He immediately took the steps to reverse things.

2 Chronicles 30:1, "And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto the Lord God of Israel."

The observing of the Passover had been established by God as a yearly practice. However, due to the spiritual decline and departure of the people, this had not been the case. It had been some time since the Passover had been observed in Israel.

To correct this, Hezekiah cleansed the Temple, sanctified the priests, restored their worship and called for the sacrifices to be offered. He restored and re-established that which should have been common and normal for Judah and Israel.

We read in verse 21 that they celebrated the Passover with "great gladness." The words speak of "exceeding glee, joy, pleasure, and rejoicing." This was an exciting and exuberant time of praise for the children of Israel.

We also read in verse 21 that the "priests praised the Lord." The word "praise" is the Hebrew word halal. I find the word to be very interesting and enlightening concerning praise. The word means to "shine, hence to make a show, to boast." We read in Psalm 44:8, "In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah." The word "boast" is the same word translated "praise" in our text. The priests were boasting or lifting up the Lord. Praise is an act whereby we "boast" or “lift up” the Lord

We also read in 2 Chronicles 30:21 that “day by day” they were "singing with loud instruments unto the Lord." The word "loud" means, "with strength, boldly, with might and power." There were no soft and restrained melodies.

We read in verse 25 they "rejoiced" and in verse 26, there was "great joy." It had been a while since there had been such scenes of praise. Yet, that should not have been the case. Their praise should have been common and normal as should be in every believer's life.

Secondly, let me say that:
2. PRAISE SHOULD ALSO BE A COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE

Praise is never out of order in our personal life and it is never out of our order in public life either. It is not out of order in the House of God. When we look at the scene in 2 Chronicles 30 we see that this praise was a collective celebration where all were participants.

In 2 Chronicles 30:1, we see that the letters and messengers Hezekiah sent out calling for a return to observe the Passover was a call to "come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem." The activities and expressions of praise described were associated with collective gathering of God’s people in the house of the Lord.

When we come to Church, praise should be expected and experienced. Praise is so foreign in some places that many would be absolutely lost in a place where there is an atmosphere of praise and worship. How tragic, how sad, in light of the truth that the house of the Lord is to be a place of praise and worship.

The Church is not a showcase of sinless saints, but the gathering place of saved sinners. As we assemble together, we do so as individuals that have been redeemed through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this wonderful truth that gives us a reason to worship and offer praise to God when we assemble together.

Our worship services should be a very moving experience and we should come in every Lord’s day with exuberant joy lifting up our voices to God for his wonderful gift of salvation! Christian, need I remind you as you read this devotion that God himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, "died for you." Praise & worship is not just for the choir or the musicians. It is for all to participate in!

In 30:1 we read that the command given by Hezekiah was to "all Israel and Judah." Hezekiah was king over Judah. The nation of Israel was divided at the time. However, his call for a return to worship at Jerusalem was not limited to Judah but to all the children of Israel.

Furthermore, it was not confined to just the priests that ministered in the holy things and the holy place. It was for every person in Israel and Judah.

Praise in the house of the Lord is a call for every believer. Everyone is included and no one is excluded. We read in 30:21, "And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness."

When it comes to praise some are spectators when all should be participators. Some are inhibited, some are embarrassed and some are restrained, but praise is to be offered and expressed by every believer.

Billy Bray was a Cornish coal miner who freely praised the Lord. He jumped, shouted and openly praised the Lord everywhere he went. He was once criticized by a fellow for the way he shouted and praised the Lord. He replied, "Down here you may be a doubter, but in heaven you will be a shouter."

Lastly, let me say that:
3. PRAISE SHOULD BE A CONTINUAL EXERCISE

We read in 2 Chronicles 30:21 tells us that "day by day" they praised the Lord. During this time of celebrating their feasts, each day was filled with praise to the Lord.

Why should we praise the Lord daily? We read in Psalm 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." The word "loadeth" means, "to impose a burden," and speaks of placing a heavy load on someone. The idea is that God loads us down with daily blessings.

Each day we can find many things for which to praise the Lord. The Lord blesses us daily. He blesses us so much that it makes the wheels on our wagon wobble!

Let me close by just saying a word about three results that are experienced when we learn to praise the Lord day by day.

First, I point out that praise directs our thoughts. Praise keeps us focused on the Lord and His goodness and grace in our life. You can't praise without turning your eyes upon Jesus and all of God's blessings in your life. Praise enables to keep our hearts and minds on the Lord.

Also, praise comforts our hearts. Praise keeps us from being bogged down and becoming bitter by the seemingly injustices and unfair events of life. Praise allows us to see the good in the midst of the bad for praise forces us to see the Lord in all events and happenings of life.

Lastly, I remind you that praise glorifies the Lord. Our praise brings great pleasure to the heart of God. There are many results to praising the Lord day by day.

I would like to encourage all of you who are reading this and have forsaken the house of God over the last year to come back this week and join in the celebratory experience of collective worship. Give God the praise he deserves and glorify the Lord in the midst of his sanctuary with the people of God.

Bro. Jeff