A focus of praise

The other morning, as I prayed before slipping out of bed, I asked God to help me praise him more. I realized that I thanked him often, and said, “I thank and praise you,” but I wanted to be more specific with praise. After all, believers will praise him in eternity. I figure I should get into the practice now…”on earth as it is in heaven.” God started to answer my prayer that morning through my morning Bible reading.

 

I opened to Psalms 117. It was so short! Only two verses which call for universal praise of God.

Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify Him, all peoples!  For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah! Psalm 117 (HCSB)

Even though it is the shortest of the Psalms it was by God’s providence that I read it that morning after my prayer. I was reminded to the praise him for his faithful love and his merciful kindness that I don’t deserve.

Since it was such a short Psalm, and did speak about praising God, I decided to study it. You know what I mean. Dig in a little deeper and see if God had a nugget to help me learn to praise him more. And I did. I learned that Psalms 113-118 is known as the “Hallel” which in Hebrew means praise. It’s where we get the word halleluiah. These Psalms are recited as a Jewish prayer by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as a way to offer praise and thanksgiving.

Jesus sang these Hallel Psalms

In ancient times, these Psalms were traditionally sung at the celebrations of the Feast of Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Pentecost. I found it inspirational to think Jesus sang these same Hallel songs with his disciples. In Mark 14:25-26 following the Passover meal (last supper) we see that Jesus and His disciples sang psalms before going to the Mount of Olives.

I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God.” After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:25-26).

They would have sung the Hallel. Psalm 118 is the traditional song sang at the close of the Passover Feast, and it just so happens to be a prophetic Psalm of Jesus that was fulfilled that very night! As Jesus sang these words he knew what was about to happen in the garden, on the cross and everything in between.

As I read Psalm 118 equipped with this bit of history, it choked me up. It starts with giving thanks to God for his goodness and love which endures forever. Vs. 4 speaks of his faithful love, “Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His faithful love endures forever.’”

Vs. 5-7 speak of calling on the Lord when in distress. "I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is my helper; Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.”

But the vs. that stood out to me were verses 22-24.

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

 This came from the Lord;

it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This cornerstone is Jesus. This Psalm describes his rejection and his triumph. The builders in verse 22 are the Jewish religious leaders, who rejected Jesus as their Messiah. The Stone, which they disavowed, received the place of honor as the headstone of the corner. The rejected stone now sat at God's right hand.

Stop and think. Jesus sang Psalm 118 knowing what was ahead. He went to the cross as a willing sacrifice. I can’t begin to imagine. But I can praise God for his example. I can praise God for providing the way for us to escape the second death. And I definitely can praise him for his lovingkindness and mercy.

Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor will never be harmed by the second death (Revelation 2:11)

Praise God

I'm a whosoever (John 3:16)

A couple Mother’s Days ago, my son bought me a red tee-shirt with a simple white script across the front that says, “I’m a whosoever” (John 3:16). I’m one of those people who dresses simply, avoids things that clash, goes for comfort, but hopes that they don’t look like a slob. Once I’m dressed, I don’t often think of what I’m wearing. For this reason, I am amazed at how many people read what tee-shirts have to say. This particular shirt brings out something more. People don’t just say, “What’s your shirt say?” and read it with little comment. This particular shirt has people coming up to me saying, “I like your shirt. I’m a whosoever too.”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

The first time it happened, things were still sketchy with going out to eat with all the Covid restrictions. My husband and I had the opportunity to enjoy a lunch at an understaffed Steak & Shake We stepped up to the host and were told it could take up to 20 minutes to seat us. With a quick look at each other we decided to wait. A couple of women were ahead of us. Next a man and his son who looked about eight. Soon the entry way turned into a crowd of people waiting. A few more women joined the first waiting before us. When the host came to seat us, I pointed out the people who were before us. He thanked me and seated them. Poor kid didn’t have a clue who to seat next. When our turn came, we were seated at a table for six, just the two of us. It did have the surreal feel with the hoops everyone had to jump through to comply. Through it all, our waitress, Chandler, did a marvelous job and served with a genuine smile. 

I'm a whosoever

As we stood to leave, one of the women from the first group seated, walked over to me and said, “I love your shirt.”

With all the chaos going on around us, it surprised me. “Thank you, my son gave it to me for Mother’s Day.”

She smiled. “I’m a whosoever too.”

The knowledge of the truth connected us as sisters at that moment. We chatted about our Lord and Savior for a few minutes, and said goodbye knowing we would see each other in heaven if not before.

The most recent person to approach me about being a whosoever happened in a Buc-ee’s so crowded it reminded me of being at a theme park attraction. A woman came up to me as I stood before a wall of assorted gummies, shouting over all the noise. “I love your shirt!”

“Thank you, my son gave it to me.”

“He has good taste. I’m a whosoever. In fact I have a website.” She handed me a card. Christiantellmewhy.info. “It’s a site that answers questions about being a Christian.” We chatted among the chaos and said goodbye.

The Christian fish symbol

I thought about how the people who know Scripture are the ones who knew what my shirt meant. And when they said they were a “whosoever,” I knew that they realized Christ’s sacrifice for them, believed in Him, and received his truth.

The early church didn’t have tee-shirts, but they did have the Christian fish symbol that helped them recognize other believers. The story, as I’ve been told, is that not long after Jesus ascended into to heaven, the church grew quickly, but just as quickly the Christians found themselves persecuted by the Romans and the Jews. (Just take a look at the early part of the apostle Paul’s life story in the book of Acts. At that time he was known as Saul and was a Pharisee on a mission to arrest Christians.) And so, when two people met and thought the other might be a fellow believer, one would draw the upper half of the fish symbol on the ground. If the other person was a believer they knew to draw the second curved line to complete the fish.

While I’ve always heard this called the Christian fish, it is actually the Greek word for fish as an anagram/acronym for “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”

The thing that stands out in my stories and the story of the Christian fish is that people were able to recognize people as to be believers. For this reason, we should really think about what we are doing and how it reflects back on our Heavenly Father. We are to reflect God's love. The question is, what are we reflecting!

Remember, whether you eat, drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

 

Excerpt from The Inheritance

Here’s an excerpt from The Inheritance which relates to this very topic:

"You know Truth?" Tenderheart asked. He took another swig from the water skin and offered it to Jejune. "I wondered, when I saw you carrying that." He pointed to the walking stick.

"This?" Jejune raised the stick and tossed it to the ground to accept the skin. "Thank you."

He motioned toward the staff with a tick of his head. "That's a reward for saving Chary's sister's life in Goodeeds. It has been useful on the trip."

Tenderheart scratched the back of his neck. "Do you know that the people in Goodeeds think the notches marking their deeds get them into the Eternal City?"

Jejune stopped drinking and wiped his mouth. "What? The notches in the walking stick? They really believe that? Absurd!"

Tenderheart nodded. "They believe the more notches they earn, the better their dwelling will be within the Eternal City. And if they arrive at the gates without a walking stick, they may not get in at all."

"They will get in, even if they have the Condition, just because they are holding a piece of wood?"

"It does sound absurd, now," Tenderheart agreed, "but I grew up in Goodeeds and believed in notches with all my heart."

"I didn't understand all that," Jejune said. "I didn't stay long. I admit I heard some of that, but never really took it to heart."

"It's quite an impressive stick." Tenderheart picked up the carved stick. "It's one of the nicest I've seen. I'm happy to hear you've met Truth instead of putting your confidence in this." He handed it to Jejune in exchange for the water skin.

Jejune fingered the carvings. "I never believed in notches. In fact, I didn't really understand their ceremony at the Hall of Strokes." He tapped his chest. "Truth gave me his Light, and he gave me an inheritance in the Eternal City." He looked into Tenderheart's dark eyes. "Do you know Truth well?"

What’s love got to do with it?

What does love have to do with our faith? Actually, it has a lot to do with how we live out our faith.

 

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Galatia, wrote that he was “amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Gal 1:6). The true gospel is the good news of the salvation in Christ by grace through faith. When we believe that good news we are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22). That word believe is more than head knowledge, more than just knowing about it. In the original Greek the word believe is pistis, which means “confidence or trust.” So saving faith is based on the confidence or trust that we are saved by grace through faith. But Paul speaks of a “different gospel” that the Galatians were turning to. What was he talking about?

 Works or faith?

Before Paul made his point about the different gospel, he reminded the Galatians of his own testimony and how God, through His Holy Spirit, worked in his own life. Then in chapter 3:2 he gets back to his point about the different gospel. “I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:2-3)

The Galatians had been saved by grace through faith but had slipped back into their old ways. They acted as if following the Jewish law made them right with God. The gospel is clear. Religious self-effort cannot make us right with God and results in sin. In Galatians 5:13-14, Paul reminds the people, “…you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

 

What’s love got to do with it?

Instead, of loving one another, the Galatians were in danger of devouring one another. Their lack of love was obvious as they tried to serve God in their own strength.

What is your example to the outside world?

Christians are to be the light and salt in this world. Paul reminded the Galatians that they must not become conceited, provoking one another, or envying one another. That’s the way of the world, and we are to be different than the world. We are to walk in the Spirit and show love for one another. “Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” Galatians 5:16).

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

According to a recent nationwide Barna poll, all 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. “In total, three-quarters (78%) said he is the “all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules the world today.” Most did not think Satan was an actual living entity and “much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians [in this poll] do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.” Just one-third of Christians disagreed that the Holy Spirit is not a living force (9% disagreed somewhat, 25% disagreed strongly) while 9% were not sure.”

If this poll is an accurate measure of the state of things, there are many who say they are part of the church who are not, and some who are carnal Christians like the Galatians who look like the world because they are striving in the flesh. They are off course from where God wants them to be.

Photo credits: Michelle Cox, pixabay

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About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

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