Psalm 145 is a Psalm of David. It is also the only Psalm called "A Psalm of Praise". David is telling us not only all of the reasons for praising the LORD, he is also telling us WHEN and WHERE to praise Him! We are to praise Him (taken from the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament):
- From day to day: Verses 1-2.
- From generation to generation: Verses 3-7.
- From nation to nation: Verses 8-13a.
- From need to need: Verses 13b-16.
- From prayer to prayer: Verses 17-21.
Verses 21 says:
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) His holy Name forever and ever.
Last year on this blog we covered all of the different words for praise and ways to praise. Now we know when and where! He SHOULD be "being praised" all day, every day, everywhere and in every way! I am only responsible for doing MY part and for sharing with you about yours! Let's be DOERS! AMEN!
John 5: 2-3:
2 Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep Gate. This pool in the Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porches (alcoves, colonnades, doorways). 3 In these lay a great number of sick folk -- some blind, some crippled, and some paralyzed (shriveled up) -- waiting for the bubbling up of the water.
Here is a picture from our Israel trip of the remains of the area where theses pools, porches, colonnades and doorways were:
This was a very real place and Jesus healed a very real man who was afflicted with very real problems! Verses 5-9:
5 There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?] 7 The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me. 8 Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk! 9 Instantly the man became well and recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked. But that happened on the Sabbath.
What just happened here? A man who had been in this terrible condition for thirty-eight years was miraculously healed AND had instantaneously regained all the strength needed, in muscles that had not been used for all of those years, to pick up his bed and walk! Wouldn't YOU be overjoyed to even just see this happen to someone else? But the "religious" ones were more concerned with the day! Don't mention the fact that THEY had never healed ANYONE! THAT is what religion does! We are not interested in religion! Jesus said this in John 6:63:
63 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
THAT is what I am interested in! How about you?
In 1 Samuel 16-17 we see a lot take place, from David being anointed king, to David being asked to play for Saul to ease his tormented spirit, to David killing Goliath. Today, the most important verse to ME is found in 1 Samuel 16:7b:
7b For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
Don't ever let other people sway you from pursuing God's plan for your life with your whole heart! Don't look for approval from man, and don't be moved by criticism. Receive correction when the Holy Spirit brings it, whether He uses another person to deliver it or not. But don't EVER do something JUST BECAUSE! Remember, God is not looking for sacrifice, but OBEDIENCE (1 Samuel 15:22)! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
