Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Thursday, December 16, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for “delighting” in us! Thank You for crowning us with salvation, when we humble ourselves and place our lives into Jesus’ hands. Thank You for making it not only possible, but a reality that we may have a relationship with You, our God! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
(Since the focus of worship Dec. 12, is the Children’s Program “Cradle to Crowns,” the Scripture readings this week will come from the program. We will expand on each of the Scriptures and invest a couple days to examining each!
Isaiah 9:6-7
6For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
Psalm 149:1-4
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
4 For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Revelation 4:9-11
9Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
Reflecting on God's Word
Have you ever thought about God “delighting” in you?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What additional ways does the psalmist call us to praise God in today’s reading? (149:3-4)
How does the Lord respond to our worship according to the psalmist? (149:4)
Understanding God's Word
What does it mean to you that God “delights” in the praises of His people?
Why do you think there is a relationship between humbling ourselves and receiving salvation?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is one thing you need to do as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...The Lord Delights in His People!
Wow! How incredible is it to read that God “delights” in us? The God who made everything and needs nothing DELIGHTS in us! If that isn’t enough to turn a dreary day into a bright one, then nothing is. The reality that God delights in us, is a catalyst for every, single one of us to praise Him every day. So often in our lives, we feel that the world’s out to get us. Many of us go through much of our time in life depressed. If the world IS in charge then that actually makes sense. After all, life is full of pain and misery. But the Bible makes it clear that even in the middle of all our pain and sorrow, God is present. God is there delighting in us, and all He asks of us is that we humble ourselves—that we confess that He is God and we are not. When we do that He crowns us with salvation. What an exchange! We give up our pride, and God gives us salvation. Sounds like quite a deal, doesn’t it? As we go about our lives today, any time we feel down, let’s remember that God DELIGHTS in us. God rejoices in us, so let’s rejoice in Him. Let’s delight in Him. Let’s sing and dance and praise Him with all we are and have, to His eternal glory, honor and praise! Amen.