Warriors Arise: April 15, 2023
1 Chronicles 16:7-33 (NKJV) On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:
8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
19 When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.
20 When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.
28 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.
31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
For ten verses David is telling the people, the other nations, the earth, the heavens, families, the sea, the fields, and the trees to praise the Lord. He exhorts everyone and everything to praise the Lord. So why did he have to go and ruin such a wonderful feel good moment with, "for He is coming to judge the earth." It reminds me of something my mother would say, "You better get this done, your Father is on his way home." I knew exactly what she was implying. She didn't even have to say, "For he is coming to judge what you haven't done and there will be consequences." There were times, I had to heed my mother's warning because Dad was going to be the judge when he got home. Again, David is in line with the New Testament, he is way before his time, having wisdom beyond his years. Jesus talked plainly and in parable about His return and that there would be judgement. There would be an inspection of what we have done here on earth. In some cases, their would be consequences of our in action or disobedience. However, there is a difference between that coming judgement and what David is saying. David has spent nearly ten verses calling the people to praise the Lord, as well as the earth, everything on it and the heavens. Then ends with "For He is coming to judge the earth." Could he be saying we will be judged for our lack of praise toward God? How much value does God put on our praise toward Him?
Jesus talks several times and in parables about how our service, what we do, will be judged when the He returns; but David is saying we will be judged for our worship or lack thereof. There is a difference. Being judged on what we do or don't do, is fulfilling our God-given purpose. Being judged on how many times we recognized God's works and worship Him for His involvement is entirely different. Why would that be so important? I believe our praise toward God is important, because then we actually recognize that God has done something. When we praise God, we recognize His involvement in our lives. How many times has God done something to benefit us and we missed it; we didn't even recognize it was Him? We expected it to work out and it did, but we failed to recognize that God make it work in our favor. Other times we prayed and prayed and prayed God answered, yet, we never turned back to give Him praise. Remember the ten lepers? Jesus helped all ten as they were running to show themselves to the priest, but only one turned around and praised Him. How many times is that you and I? God gives the answer and we are seeing it unfold in our favor, yet we never return to give Him praise. I never thought I could be judged for my lack of praise toward God. However, it seems that is why David is implying. He spends verse after verse exhorting all the people, families, earth, things on the earth and the heavens to praise God then ends with, "For He is coming to judge the earth."
Father, I truly need my eyes opened to see You. I want to see what You have done. I want to remember my prayers and turn aroudn and praise You every time You answer in favor. I want to praise You for every time You have gotten me through a tough situation. I want to remember what You have done for me and lift Your name in praise. You have made the crooked places straight. You have walked me through the valley of the shadow of death. You have pulled me out of the sinking sand. You have set my feet upon solid ground. You have healed me and delivered me from evil. You have paid bills, and provided for the unexpected. You have heard my cry and answered me more times than I can count. My trust in is You. I lift up my voice today nd praise You. Bring to remembrance what You have done for me. Specifically remind me of the times I didn't realize You intervened and made a way out for me. I want to see Your handiwork in my life. You are my rescue hero. You are my deliverer. You are the One who restores my life. You are my healer. I will praise You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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