Shalom,
Do YOU want to be pleasing to the LORD? Here's how in Psalm 147:11:
11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness.
It brings Him pleasure when we walk in the "fear of the LORD", which means reverence and respect; being aware and in awe of His presence IN us as believers! One of the reasons He does is because of what THAT attitude does for US! Psalm 111: 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.
And we saw in Psalm 147:1 that it is a GOOD thing to give thanks unto the LORD! There were two songs I wanted to use with this Psalm, but I couldn't find a good video of either! One was "It IS HE" by Lamb (featuring Joel Chernoff). The other was "The LORD Is Building Up Jerusalem" by Hosanna Music. Here is a video, but without lyrics, of the second song. And, of course, the WORDS are in your Bible! AMEN!
In John 7:5 we see this:
5 For [even] His brothers did not believe in or adhere to or trust in or rely on Him either.
People are so moved by the natural senses! The problem with basing everything on the senses is that when something is no longer in front of us, we WILL forget! After all of the signs, wonders, miracles, healing, deliverances, casting out devils, and leaving the religious leaders speechless, even His own brothers still did not believe! What would it take? 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that the Word of God must be spiritually discerned! For real understanding to come, the disciples had to be born again, with the Holy Spirit living in them as Teacher! They finally believed on Him when He actually went through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, and they saw Him again, face to face! THEN they received the Holy Spirit and were born again! At the Day of Pentecost they were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and were even better able to understand the Word! Even with all of that, without diligence to feed on the Word of God on a daily basis, you and I will NOT be able to know and understand the Word enough to be DOERS of it! How much is it worth to YOU? I can only answer that for myself!
In 1 Samuel 20-21 we find David and Jonathan parting after making a covenant together. For those who put King David on a spiritual pedestal as someone to emulate, we see today and the next few chapters some of the deadly mistakes he made! The mistake of going to Ahimelech for help, instead of relying on God, cost the lives of the priests! And then he lied to him! Of course we know that he repented and got back into fellowship, which is what we all must do, everyday! But there has never been a perfect believer except Jesus Himself! Don't get down on yourself for YOUR mistakes! But DO stop them and confess the sin and get right back in fellowship again! Take THAT example from David and do it! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
