Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
“Hallelujah – Praise the Lord”
Psalm 111: 1-10. 
“Praise the Lord”
The “Psalms” is a collection of poems and songs of praises to our Lord for His works. The book of Psalms is one of the most read book, I feel, amongst Christians. Even during our family prayer, we always turn to a Psalm after reading another portion from the Bible. Why is that? Most often this is because we feel that a Psalm helps us conclude a prayer with thanksgiving and praise for the wonderful deeds of our Lord. Psalm 111 is showing us all the reasons why we should praise God. Let us look at these reasons together. Psalm 111 has ten verses and out of these verses, I would like to highlight three concepts that I see (1) Look back and remember, (2) God’s redemptive Love, (3) a holy fear of the Lord
God is asking us to look back and remember all the good things he has done for us. He is asking us to not just sing about counting your blessings, but actually remember all of your blessings. Remember all of the ways He has led us out of “our desert”. In a world filled with technology, how often do we see ourselves amazed at the newest technology that is available? Now, how often are we just as amazed at something wonderful that God has done in our lives? How often are we sharing all the good that God has done in our lives? How often should the signature in our emails really say “- Sent from a saved Christian who serves a mighty Lord worthy of praise”. We are surrounded by so much surplus and luxury that we are getting lost as Christians. We are forgetting how the rest of the world lives and how our ancestors survived solely on the grace of God. The Israelites looked to God for every meal in the desert; it was pure reliance on the goodness and mercy of God. Let us remember all those times during our day where things could have gone terribly wrong but didn’t because we have a gracious and compassionate God (verse 4).
Verse 9 says, “He provided redemption for His people- He ordained His covenant forever – holy and awesome is His name”. The fundamental belief behind Christianity is summarized here in this verse. God’s love has redeemed us as a race. We by nature are sinful and faulty creatures. Psalm 111 says our God is a righteous God (verse 3); it says our God is trustworthy and just; our God is faithful and upright (verses 7 and 8). I am perplexed here when I read this portion because how can a God who is just, look at my actions and still love me? How can a God of righteousness look at my actions and still give me His gift of Salvation? That is why it says my dear brothers and sisters, that our God is love. His grace is what forgives us, His righteousness is what demanded a sacrifice, and His love is what led His Son to be crucified for us.  Although we do not deserve redemption, although our actions lack righteousness – our God is holy and awesome for redeeming us. Let us remember there are many labels floating above our heads – ones that say “sinner”, “saved by the grace of God”, “unworthy”, “cleanse me” and many more. What do you want yours to say?

The Psalm right before this one, Psalm 110, is showing a different side of our God. There are mentions of battles, and mighty scepters, judgment and wrath. Psalm 110 is calling Christians to fear judgment, to fear the Lord because of His great power. If we turn our attention back to Psalm 111, we see the other side of the coin. We see the warning of judgment again – however the psalmist is showing this to us differently here. In Psalm 110, he is showing us all the goodness that is our Lord and Savior. The psalmist is asking us to love the Lord and be amazed by His works, which should lead to a holy fear of the Lord. We truly begin to understand our God and how He wants us to live our life. We begin to see our purpose and our calling. We begin to see all His wondrous works and fear Him; and fear the day of judgment.
Prayer: Father, we thank the wonderful blessings that You have given us. We remember Your grace and Your redemptive love. We are in love, wonder and fear of You. Amen.  
Thought for the day: He ordained His covenant forever

Leena Abraham, St John’s MTC, NY

Theme of the Week: Salvation: the gift of God

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more