Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 23:1–24:25, Jude 17–25, Ps 148:1–150:6

Today’s Theme: Praise the Lord

Today’s theme is about praise, praising the Lord in the good and bad times, praising God in the battle, swinging the sword of praise, building our faith through praise and affirmation of the truth and the shear pleasure and joy of praise.

2 Samuel 23:1–24:25

The weapon of praise

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. 2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV)

We read today about the 3 mighty warriors from Davids men
1. Josheb-basshebeth who killed 800 at one time with his spear.
2. Eleazar who struck the enemy until the sword stuck to his hand while Israel withdrew.
3. Shammah who took his stand while others retreated to defend the field of lentils, striking down the enemy.

These men showed remarkable bravery, skill and determination We can learn form their example, we do not turn back, we never retreat, we stand and fight as we studied yesterday.

As we stand, our very stand will bring praise to Gods name. Praising God in the midst of the battle is like the 3 mighty warriors standing and swinging their swords.

We need to swing the sword today through praising God according to his word.

No retreat, no surrender, take your stand, hold your sword (the bible) so tightly that it becomes a part of you and swing, swing the sword of the Spirit through praise and see the enemy slain and flee from you.

If you are under attack in your mind, swing the sword of word based praise to our great king, God. Praise the Lord.

Be like Benaiah

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 2 Samuel 23:20 (ESV)

As a side note from our theme of praise, we must not forget the example of Benaiah and his exploits for his king, lets show his faith, courage and loyalty in our lives for our king, Jesus.

Pastor Dennis brought a life changing message from the character of Beniah, clips and reflections can be found on our website.

here https://www.wwmf.org/2012/08/04/resources/benaiah-the-heart-of-the-king/

and here https://www.wwmf.org/2013/01/05/media/video/the-heart-of-the-king-dvd/

Jude 17–25

The affirmation of praise

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24–25 (ESV)

Today’s new testament passage begins by Jude encouraging us to build ourselves up in the faith we have been called to contend for by doing two things, 1) praying by the leading of the Holy Spirit 2) Keeping in the love of God.

If we live lives led by the Spirit and walk in love as we wait on God’s mercy which leads to eternal life we will show mercy on others too.

God wants us to live our lives on mission and we can only do that if we are filled with and led by the Holy Spirit and live a life of sanctification, obedience and service which keeps us in the love of God.

All of this leads to the final doxology, a praise of affirmation. We know we can’t keep ourselves or live for God without his help.

We can make the affirmation of our Spirit filled, living faith through praise today. Declare God to be who he is, it will build your faith and encourage you as you proclaim the truth that God can and will keep you from stumbling.

To him be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority.

Psalm 148:1–150:6

Praise the King

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 (ESV)

God’s majesty is far above the earth and the heavens, he is the great king, worthy of our praise

The Pleasure of God

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (ESV)

God takes pleasure and gets enjoyment form his people as they walk in humility, be humble today to bring God pleasure.

The joy of praise

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Psalm 150:3 (ESV)

As we praise God lets do it with joy, our praise of our great God should bring God and us pleasure we should both enjoy it as we celebrate God. We praise him with all sorts of music, shout praise to God today for his great deeds.