VERSE OF THE DAY FOR OCTOBER 1, 2020

 

Today's memory verse is taken from Isaiah 25:1

"O Lord, you are my God. I will exalt you, I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things; your counsel of old are faithfulness and truth" (NKJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse 

God's counsel is from old it is  unquestionable. He has perfected everything that concerns his children. He knows our beginning from our end, so, he's got us covered. When we are passing through difficulties, it often seems as if God has forsaken us or  hidden his face from us. But, God promised in Isaiah 46, that he is a very present help in time of trouble, he will never leave nor forsake us even though the earth be removed, and though the  mountains be carried into the midst of the sea". 

It is always with joy and exclamation that we appreciate God when he does something great in our eyes. Problems we may have long gotten used to. Difficult situations we have concluded that God is not ready to work upon etc, when he turns around our captivity, we become like them that dream, then we proclaim like the prophet "I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things "

Read also: Verse of the day for September 24.

Praise and Thanksgiving  are two powerful spiritual  weapons we must not trivialize. In Psalm 146:2, the Psalmist says "while I live I will praise the lord: I will sing praises to my God while I have being in me". Our praises shouldn't be only when God has done something marvelous in our eyes. It must be spontaneous and a ready part of us. Praise does not come naturally to us, so we must learn it. Praising God does not elevate him more than he really is but does a lot to remind us about who God is and helps to stabilize our faith. In order word praise helps us even more than It's any benefit to God. David said in the psalms "Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud, you will hear my voice". This shows that praise is an attitude that should follow us and become a pattern for us.  We must be intentional about our praise and worship. We must  also find scriptural guidelines for this.

See also: Hold firm to what is Good!

I was going through a website: Dancing through the pain, when I found this: (I copied it here, as it might help someone as it helped me)

"We don’t need to be convinced to praise God in gratitude, but on those black or darker days, we may need to remind ourselves exactly why we should engage in praise. So here’s a short list of reasons to help you and a few psalms that speak to each one.

• In awe of God for who He is and what He has done (Psalms 19, 89, 98, 148)
• God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, truth and justice (Psalms 31, 57, 100, 101, 117)
• Gratitude or thankfulness which should lead to praise (Psalms 7, 18, 40, 106)
• It is becoming, good, lovely and pleasant (Psalms 92, 135, 147)
• To teach our children, grandchildren, friends…the generations to come (Psalms 78, 89)
• Salvation (Psalms 9, 70, 118) Also, 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"

If you find it difficult to originate praise, start reading/praying some of these Psalms as an act of worship. You may find, like I did, that you will be drawn into praise and your spirit will be lifted".

PRAYER:  Father we thank you for the gift of your son through whom you made fellowship with you possible. Help us lord to  be intentional about approaching your throne of grace always with hearts lifted up in praise. Grant that from today, we may refuse to be brought low by any circumstances but focus our eyes only on you as we engage all of out faculties in unabridged praise. Thank you for hearing us, even as we pray in Jesus name, Amen!