Psalm 111 is one of the "Hallelujah" Psalms that either begin or end with "Hallelujah"! Verse 1:
1 PRAISE THE LORD (Hallelujah!) I will praise and give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation.
The psalmist was committed to praising the LORD no matter what the circumstances. Sometimes it really is a sacrifice of praise because of our situations, circumstance, or even just how we "feel". This psalm reveals an important step in staying grateful and thankful ALWAYS. That is to diligently remember what the LORD has ALREADY done! That's how David encouraged himself in the LORD and that's how we must, too! Verse 4:
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion.
HE has made His works TO BE REMEMBERED! As A. T. Pierson said, "History is HIS story"! Let's read THAT story again and again and again! Then we see this in verse 10:
10 The reverent fear and worship of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the LORD]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
So, depending on where YOU'RE at in your spiritual growth, let's either BEGIN or CONTINUE to be wise! AMEN! Here is "Run" by Hillsong. Just to remind you that history is His story!
It is so fitting to be reading Luke 23 this week! Before we get into the chapter, I wanted to share this from the Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament:
The trial and death of Jesus Christ revealed both the wicked heart of man and the gracious heart of God. When men were doing their worst, God was giving His best. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom 5:20). Jesus was not crucified because evil men decided to get Him out of the way. His crucifixion was "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23), an appointment made from eternity (1 Peter 1:20; Rev 13:8).
I suggest that everyone reread Luke 23 and allow the Holy Spirit to make some things abundantly clear! That would start with this fact: no less than 6 times Jesus was declared "Not Guilty!" by either the words or actions of 4 different people: Pilate (verses 4, 14 and 22), King Herod (verse 15), one of those crucified with Jesus (verses 40-43), and the Roman centurion (verse 47). He was WITHOUT SIN Himself! But He was willingly MADE SIN, with OUR sin! This is evidenced in verse 26, when Simon of Cyrene was made to carry the cross, which was a form of humiliation for the guilty, rather than Jesus Who was innocent; and in Matthew 27:46, when He said "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me"? That was when God had to turn His back on His only Son because He had been MADE sin with OUR sin! Thank YOU, Jesus!
Another interesting portion is found in verses 50-53 where we see that Joseph of Arimathea was already prepared to wrap the body of Jesus and place it in a tomb of his own. He must have known the Word of God and believed what was to happen to the Messiah! He also must NOT have been present during the trial, for Mark 14:64 says that ALL present condemned Jesus. There is ALWAYS a remnant who will believe the Word! Let's be numbered with those!
Deuteronomy 28:1-2:
1 IF YOU will listen diligently to the voice of the LORD your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the LORD your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come on you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 28 is filled with THE BLESSING of God for those who will obey His Word! Meditate on those and then remember that OUR Covenant is a better one, based on better promises (Hebrew 8:6)! These are wonderful promises, but OURS are BETTER! IF, however, is STILL the deciding factor! Choose wisely!
Shalom in Him!
