Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Wed.’s Devo - Hope and Praise

Read: Ps. 127-135
Our ascent to Jerusalem continues today and ends with Chapter 134. They are filled with joy as they sing about the benefits of obeying the Lord as they are doing by coming to Jerusalem. The thing that is most important to them is their family. That is their heritage. Their greatest blessing is to have a fruitful wife and many children - the more the better. God’s continued blessing would extend to their grandchildren. The blessing was that they would enjoy the fruit of their labors - meaning their children. To have them is one thing, but to enjoy them is so much better.
We tend to put the cart before the horse. We have children when and if we can afford them, they had them knowing the Lord world provide.
They had their scars of persecution but God set them free. They returned a curse on their enemies and blessed the Lord. I love the words, “I am counting on the Lord.” They were putting their hope in the Lord no matter what they saw with their eyes. They even sang a song about David and his long wait for God to give him the kingdom. David fought and waited for the Lord to move. Finally he was put on the throne and he could bring the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. David’s life was an example of praise and worship to the Lord.
We all have things we are holding on to in hope and counting on the Lord to do. They sang all these songs as they were bringing their gifts to sacrifice on the altar. These sacrifices would cleanse them from sin for another year. Let’s hope in the Lord as we bring him our sacrifice of praise. Jesus’ sacrifice was eternal and forever.
Lord, may we choose to sing rather than be depressed; and praise you rather than complain. We put our hope in You.

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