The Message: Praising God means lifting His name on high and giving Him the greatest glory. For His Name is higher than any other name and his glory covers the earth and the heaven, and the heaven of heavens (Deut.10:14). There are several reasons to praise God, namely his greatness, his deeds and miracles, his defeating his enemies, etc. But they may all be summed up in his manifesting his love, which prompts us to sing, « Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever »2 Chr.20:21. This song is surely that of someone who remembers that God’s love has not abandoned him when he was confronted by hardships and went through waves of various trials, so that he said, « Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord » Ps.130:1. For he cried to the Lord, who then rescued and delivered him as He said, « Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me »Ps.50:15─which means exactly praising Him. Praising God is the feature distinguishing the believer from the unbeliever. Indeed, only those who ”live by faith” will be able to praise God and receive his approval. Actually it is written, « For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you praise? »Ps.6:5. For « He is God not of the dead, but of the living » Mt.22:32, that is, of those who live by faith. Jesus said, « Because I live, you also will live » Jn.14:19b. They have been established by God to be a kingdom of priests (1 Pet.2:9), so it is their duty to accomplish His word, « Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name » Ps.30:4, and, « Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day » Ps.96:2. Praising God is a sign of great joy, but also and above all a source of blessing, for ”God makes happy those who rejoice in Him.” In this regard, the psalmist says, « Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart »Ps.37:4. He says, indeed, « For those who honor me I will honor » 1 Sam.2:30.
Monday, 11th: Praise God for His name’s sake.
« Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name » Isa.12:4a.
Reading 1: Ac.22:6-16. Reading 2: Isa.12:2-4. Preaching: Isa.12:4.
Introduction: God’s name is Holy and Almighty, greater and higher than any other name. And since there is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), the Holy Scripture declares, « Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Phil.2:9-11.
Tuesday, 12st: Praise God for His mercy.
« I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away » Isa.12:1.
Reading 1: Ps.103:8-16. Reading 2: Isa.12:1-2. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching: Isa.12:1.
Introduction: « For I desire mercy, » says the Lord (Hos.6:6). God does not keep record of wrongdoing but forgives all who turn to Him (Isa.55:7) and saves them. Give Him the glory and praise his Name, let every tongue acknowledge, « O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever »1 Chr.16:34.
Wednesday, 13th: Praise God for His work.
« Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth »Isa.12:5.
Reading 1: Eph.2:4-10. Reading 2: Isa.12:5-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa.12:5.
Introduction: God’s first great work, which remains visible until this day, was the creation of everything, according to what is written, « God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good »Gen.1:31. But his unbeatable and unforgettable work was the redemption that He accomplished, the forgiveness of our sinsthrough which He made us into « instruments of honour »(2 Tim.2:20), even “inheriting children of God and co-heirs with Christ” Rom.8:17.
Thursday 14th: Praise God for His priestly office.
« You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek » Heb.5:6.
Reading 1: Isa.53:4-8. Reading 2: Heb.5:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Heb.5:5-6.
Introduction: The priestly office that Jesus Christ performs for us is His continuous intercession for us (Rom.8:34) in order to justify us who believe in Him. As such, « Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us » Rom.8:33-34.
Friday, 15th: Praise God in holiness.
« Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth » Jn.17:17.
Reading 1: Mal.3:1-4. Reading 2: Jn.17:9-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn.17:17.
Introduction: The Lord declares to His people, « For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy »Lev.11:44. He said, indeed, « For I the Lord, I who sanctify you, am holy »Lev.21:8.The Apostle Peter justified God’s call and His anointing of His people in these terms, « But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light »1 Pet.2:9.
Saturday, 16th: Praise God with eternal praises.
« They sing a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals’ »Rev.5:9.
Reading 1: Jer.33:8-11. Reading 2: Rev.5:6-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rev.5:9-10.
Introduction: “The new song” is the song of “those forgiven of their sins.” They wear long white robe which have been cleansed by the blood of “the Lamb of God” Jesus Christ (Rev.7:13-14). They put on this cloth, indeed, especially when they draw near to the sovereign throne of God’s glory in order to sing for Him and to praise Him, « O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever » Ps. 118:29. « Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! »Ps.150:6.
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