March 21, 2011 Praise God

Praise God
Read 1 Samuel 12-14

1 Sam 12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

SAMUEL IS getting close to the end of his time as a Judge (leader, not a law judge) of Israel. As a good leader, he wants his people to remember how good God has been to them.
This is so important. I have been reminded in many ways these past few months of the primary place praise plays in our lives.
We all have complaints, and we all wish things were better. We pray for change, and we pray for resolution to issues. These prayers of petition are good things to offer to God.
But do we praise God? The main part of Samuel’s speech is to remind his people of the miracles God has done in the history of their nation. He reminds them to consider the wonderful things God has done.
What would those wonderful things be? Surely they would include their delivery from slavery, their settlement in the Promise Land, their receiving of the Law. These are great and wonderful realities!
And for us, the object of our praise every day is the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to salvation. These are truly wonderful realities!
What else do you think comes in the category of “wonderful” for the Hebrews? Could it be the land they work, the children they’ve raised, the good Judge they’ve lived under, and the times of peace and prosperity they’ve enjoyed?


Pause and Consider: the wonderful things your Lord God has given to you.