Sing Out Praises
I love to read stories of how our Father works in the lives of his people. I read the testimonies from evangelists and missionaries who traveled to other nations and witnessed tremendous outpourings of His Grace. I love reading tales of how, out of pure goodness, he delivered them out of the most challenging circumstances. Some tell the stories of His mercy in pardoning them, and how He faithfully honored his covenant with them.
But as cool as all those stories are, wouldn’t it be even more interesting and beneficial for us to proclaim the hand of God in our own lives? Shouldn’t we be able to look at our own history as being at least as full of God, and as full of his goodness and of his truth, with as much a proof of his faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone before?
Personally, I think we are doing our Lord an injustice when we say that he did all his mighty acts, and showed Himself strong in those “old days,” but doesn’t perform wonders for modern-day believers.
Look over your own life. Can you remember any happy incidents; any times of refreshment with our Father? Have you experienced any times when you were delivered—whether from a habit or a particular sin? Have you passed through any “rivers” that could have been overwhelming, if not for His Divine Presence?
Do you remember the story of the “Footprints in the Sand”?
Have you had any manifestations of His Power or Wonder; or a time when you came out of a seemingly impossible crisis?
Has the God who gave Solomon the desire of his heart, ever listened to your prayers and fulfilled your requests?
Have you ever been made to “lie down in green pastures?” Or led to “still waters”?
If you were able to answer yes to any of those questions, well surely those signs of our Father’s care and goodness should be weaved into songs, just like King David was able to do.
Take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls make noise as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David’s harp, while we praise the Lord whose mercy endures forever.
But as cool as all those stories are, wouldn’t it be even more interesting and beneficial for us to proclaim the hand of God in our own lives? Shouldn’t we be able to look at our own history as being at least as full of God, and as full of his goodness and of his truth, with as much a proof of his faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone before?
Personally, I think we are doing our Lord an injustice when we say that he did all his mighty acts, and showed Himself strong in those “old days,” but doesn’t perform wonders for modern-day believers.
Look over your own life. Can you remember any happy incidents; any times of refreshment with our Father? Have you experienced any times when you were delivered—whether from a habit or a particular sin? Have you passed through any “rivers” that could have been overwhelming, if not for His Divine Presence?
Do you remember the story of the “Footprints in the Sand”?
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.Have you ever been placed in a “fiery furnace” and come out unharmed?
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
Have you had any manifestations of His Power or Wonder; or a time when you came out of a seemingly impossible crisis?
Has the God who gave Solomon the desire of his heart, ever listened to your prayers and fulfilled your requests?
Have you ever been made to “lie down in green pastures?” Or led to “still waters”?
If you were able to answer yes to any of those questions, well surely those signs of our Father’s care and goodness should be weaved into songs, just like King David was able to do.
Take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls make noise as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David’s harp, while we praise the Lord whose mercy endures forever.
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