Upon the Praises

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Upon the Praises

Psalm 22 was written by David  hundreds of years  before Christ,  but it describes agonizing details  of Jesus’ suffering and death  on the cross.     Only God’s power  can foretell details  like that — and they are written  so that we might know  for sure  that faith  in Jesus  truly does cleanse us  of all our sins.

The amazing thing  about this psalm  of great suffering is  that it begins and ends  with praise,  of all things.     Psalm 22:1-3 reads,

My God,  my God,  why hast Thou forsaken me?    
Far from my deliverance  are the words  of my groaning.    
O my God,  I cry by day,  but Thou dost not answer;    
And by night,  but I have no rest.    
Yet,  Thou art holy,   
O Thou  who art enthroned  upon the praises  of Israel.

God is “enthroned  upon the praises  of Israel”.     And,  He is enthroned  upon our praises.     Even though Jesus,  as true man,  felt forsaken  while hanging  on the cross,  He knew  that God could be trusted.     There is much more here  than any human mind  can honestly comprehend.

Our first reaction  in suffering is  to complain and doubt  God’s promises.     That is akin  to calling God a liar,  because He has promised  to deliver us  in His way  and His time.     In His suffering  and praise,  Jesus still went through the suffering  and death process — but,  He suffered and died  facing the truth  about God  and His salvation.      The people could only see  that as a defeat.     But,  what looks like defeat to people,  is victory to God  because His promises  of a Savior  from sin  were all accomplished  in His way  and His time.

As we endure our suffering,  as crushing as it may be,  we need  to praise God Almighty  for all that He has done  for us  in Christ Jesus.     As we face the truth  that God is love;  He is righteous,  just,  true,  and almighty,   we can be assured  that our Lord will also carry us  through whatever it is  that we need to face,  as the power of God carried Jesus  through to victory  over sin,  death,  and the devil.

Towards the end  of Psalm 22,  in verses 25-26 David shows us more truth  about praises.

From Thee  comes my praise  in the great assembly;   
I shall pay my vows  before those  who fear Him.   
The afflicted  shall eat  and be satisfied;   
Those who seek Him  will praise  the LORD.

All the things we learn  about God  are what brings praise  to our lips.     It is God  who teaches us  about Himself  in His word.     That is why we can say,  “From Thee  comes my praise”.     When we praise the LORD  in heaven,  we will be surrounded  by myriads of others  also praising God  for all that He has done — so,  our praise will be  “before those  who fear Him”.      No matter what our problems  on earth,  we can be confident  that we will be fully “satisfied”   in heaven.     All our troubles  will be worth  our passing trials here.

And finally,  it is no surprise,  “Those who seek Him  will praise the LORD”.      All those  who look to God  for all their needs  will end up praising Him  forever and ever.     Those who refuse  to turn  to the LORD  in their trials  and temptations  will continue  to feel bitter  and angry  about their problems — possibly blaming God — but they will never realize  that they are robbing themselves  of comfort  and victory.

Since God is enthroned  upon our praises,  let us give praise  where praise  is due.     The Almighty has created us  and redeemed us.     As we turn  to God,  confessing our sins  and looking  for His mercy  in Christ, we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Lord,  Your suffering and death  wash away all my sins  and give me eternal life.     I praise You  for Your faithfulness  and compassionate love,  even for me.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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