God has been teaching me so much about praise and thanksgiving lately, and how powerful it really is. Lord willing, over time we will begin to incorporate the power of praise in our prayer times together, both on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Considering that God dwells in the praises of His people we may want to dedicate an entire Wednesday prayer time to praising and thanking our God. Notice this passage:
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41
This is an unusual order, isn’t it? Lazarus is still in the grave, and Jesus’ thanksgiving precedes the miracle of resurrection. It seems that His thanksgiving and praise would have come after the resurrection, when Lazarus was brought to life again. But instead Jesus gives thanks for what He is about to receive. His thanksgiving and praise comes before the miracle happens, and Jesus expresses the assurance that it is certainly on the way. This is the song of victory being sung before the battle has been fought. It is thanksgiving before the miracle!
Also, there is a parallel passage in the Old Testament. In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat faced a mighty army and did not know what to do to win the battle. But he consulted with the Lord and the people, and then he
21 …appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
The praise team went ahead of the soldiers and it was “as they began to sing and praise” that the Lord won the victory for them. Oh what a lesson this is for us. Do you have battles in this life? Give yourself over to praising the Lord and He will fight for you and ensure your victory. After all, He won the main battle for us on the cross when He “disarmed the powers and authorities, and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15). So praise Him now and watch the victory come in time. Thank Him now, being assured of what He will do.
Because of the victory Jesus won, we are assured of victory ourselves even before we engage in battle. Therefore we can praise and thank Him, even before we see the battle won.
“Who thinks of announcing a victory-psalm when the crusaders are just starting out for the field? Where can we hear the grateful song for the answer which has not yet been received? And after all, there is nothing strange or forced, or unreasonable in the Master’s order. Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith”.—Dr. Jowett.
PRAISE CHANGES THINGS
Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer as our praise, and nothing so blesses the man who prays as the praise which he offers. I got a great blessing once in China in this connection. I had received bad and sad news from home, and deep shadows had covered my soul. I prayed, but the darkness did not vanish. I summoned myself to endure, but the darkness only deepened. Just then I went to an inland station and saw on the wall of the mission home these words: “Try Thanksgiving.” I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone, not to return. Yes, the Psalmist was right, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.”—Rev. Henry W. Frost.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Dear church,
I wanted to show us another gospel lesson in the middle of the Old Testament, and then share with you the lyrics to a wonderful song I found just this morning. We know that the gospel can be found throughout the entire Bible as the gospel is the main point of the entire Bible. When we as Christians continually emphasize the gospel, and share the gospel with others, it is because the Bible continually emphasizes the gospel. In this verse about the gospel we can see the practice, the peril, and the pardon of man.
Practice of man. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; . . . iniquity.” The practice of man spoken of in this verse is a selfish practice, for it says man went “his own way.” This is how we all lived before Christ; our “own way”. It is also a popular practice, for “all” are doing it.
Peril of man. This sinful practice of man has put him in great peril. We were in great danger because our way was the wrong way. We went “astray”. This is not the way to heaven. Man is in peril because his way is a deadly way. The way of “iniquity” is the way of death, for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Also man is in peril because his way is a condemned way. Man may call sin nice names, but that does not change the peril of sin. Changing the names on a bottle does not change the contents of the bottle, and if the bottle holds poison, the poison is just as dangerous with a nice name as it was with a truthful name. The Word of God gives sin the right names.
Pardon of man. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” This pardon is a Divine pardon. God laid our sins on His own Son. God provided the way of salvation. It was not man’s idea. This pardon is a merciful pardon, for man does not deserve the pardon. We do not deserve to be pardoned for we have gone our “own way” and rejected God’s way, yet God in His mercy provided for our rescue (see Colossians 1:13). This pardon is a vicarious pardon. This just means that our pardon comes through “Him” Who took our sins to the cross and died in our place. Finally this pardon is a sufficient pardon. Did you notice the word “all” at the end of the verse? This says salvation is available for anyone who comes to Jesus Christ and puts their faith in Him. The “all” who have “gone astray” can find pardon and peace with God through Jesus Christ.
After considering our previous practice and peril, does this not make the pardon that is in Jesus very precious? He is the “Cornerstone”, a very precious Stone to those who believe, and His rescue of us is very precious to us. In Jesus there is no condemnation, for He was condemned in our place, and this makes Him so precious to we who were previously in such peril. Now we praise His Name and there should be a desire within us to share Him with all we come in contact with. Here’s Peter’s commentary on Isaiah 53:6:
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25
The author of this hymn is unknown, but what powerful lyrics. This is my testimony. Is it also yours?
Iwas in sin’s prison, oh, so dark and cold Like a lost sheep wandering from God’s eternal fold. Then the door swung open, and He spoke to me, “I have signed your pardon, now you may go free.”
Chorus Jesus signed my pardon, this I surely know Took my place at Calvary, now I won’t have to go. All my life I’ll give to Him – He gave His for me When He signed my pardon there at Calvary.
Since the Savior led me from that awful place I can hear the angels as they sing Amazing Grace. I know I was pardoned from my sin and shame When I joined them singing, “Glory to His name.”
Chorus Jesus signed my pardon, this I surely know Took my place at Calvary, now I won’t have to go. All my life I’ll give to Him – He gave His for me When He signed my pardon there at Calvary.
Life is now worth living since I’ve been set free. I’m so glad He was willing to save a wretch like me. Now I have a mansion, not a prison wall. Jesus signed my pardon, Jesus paid it all.
Chorus Jesus signed my pardon, this I surely know Took my place at Calvary, now I won’t have to go. All my life I’ll give to Him – He gave His for me When He signed my pardon there at Calvary.
We have been studying about faith, both in our Bible Study time and in our sermon messages. Faith is simply believing God, taking Him at His Word. And genuine faith will overcome any trial or problem, any time of testing, or any difficulty or storm. Even if you may not be going through a difficulty presently, take notice of how Paul’s faith got him through an extreme trial, for there may come a time in your life when you will need this as well. Notice the kind of faith Paul had. Here were his circumstances:
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. Acts 27:20
They were in a raging storm out in the open seas. The situation looked bleak, the circumstances were very bad. So bad that they “gave up all hope of being saved.” How would you react in a storm this bad? And how do we react when going through stormy trials that are exceptionally intense? When our hope is gone, or our hearts are hurting badly. Here is where faith comes in, and this faith will get us through any storm, even ones that are very intense and severe. Notice Paul’s faith:
25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Acts 27:25
What a contrast! From “we finally gave up all hope of being saved” to “so keep up your courage men!” And what made the difference? “I have faith in God…” and more specifically, in His Word. “it will happen just as He told me.”
Weak faith is doing as Gideon did, and asking God for “confirming evidence” of what He says; a wet fleece or a dry fleece. Strong faith is believing God in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, and taking Him at His Word no matter how bleak your circumstances or how bad you feel. So when you come upon a trial, run to God’s Word and find a promise to latch on to, and as you believe God’s Word you are strengthened greatly in the storm.
God has given us everything we need to make it through intense storms and fiery trials. It is His Word. And as we believe His Word, even in the face of circumstances that appear contrary, we gain the victory over them. Indeed, faith is the victory.4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32
A brother and I met for lunch yesterday and discussed the wonderful truth of this passage. If we remember the conditions at the time this was written it helps to see the truth: Israel was no longer a sovereign nation, but rather were subject to the Romans. They had not a had a prophet in 400 years, so God’s voice had been silent. They were emasculated as a nation, demon-possession was rampant, and true godliness at an all-time low. It was in these conditions that old Simeon had been earnestly seeking the Lord. He was “waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.”
What does consolation mean? The Word in Greek is paraklēsis, from where we get the word for the Holy Spirit Who is our “Comforter.” The Word means to comfort, to console, to encourage, to build up, to strengthen. And oh how Israel needed consolation at this time in their history. They were under oppression from the Romans, they needed freedom and consolation. They were subject to the devil’s fury, they needed protection and comfort. They were cast down as a nation, they needed to be picked up, encouraged, given strength.
Simeon was moved by the Spirit to go to the Temple, and seeing Jesus Christ, He “took Him in His arms and praised God…” To those who need consolation, Jesus is the answer! To those attacked and beaten down by Satan, Jesus is the answer! To those who are weary and worn, tired and discouraged, Jesus Christ is the “Consolation of Israel!” Though we most certainly need each other, Jesus can do more to console and comfort us than any human being. The truth is, He consoles and comforts us through His Word, through His Spirit, and through His body. Triple consolation for all who are His.
Simeon saw Him and was moved to take Him in His arms. To hold Him. To embrace Him. God would encourage us today to take Jesus in our arms, to embrace Him; that is, to love and worship Him. We are instructed to “kiss the Son…” (Psalm 2:12) in submission and adoration and worship.
And then Simeon “praised God.” Once we take Jesus in our arms praise comes out of our mouth. We have found Who we were waiting for. We have Who we need. This beautiful baby, this “Consolation of Israel” is the Solution of all mankind! He would grow up and purposefully go to a Roman cross to die. Why? To remove our sins from us and replace them with His Spirit, thereby comforting us. Isaiah says it this way: “1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2
Are you in need of consolation today? Needing comfort and encouragement and strength and love? Jesus is the consolation of Israel. No, He is the consolation of the whole world: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Isaiah 28:16
Yesterday at church we looked at Jesus Who was called a “Rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4). Today let’s see Him as a “Stone.”
Isaiah 28:16 speaks prophetically about Jesus Christ. He is described as the Stone. In this verse, He is called the foundation stone, the tested stone, the precious stone, the cornerstone, and the sure stone. He is all we need! Let’s look at these together:
· Foundation Stone. Christ is the foundation of our salvation. In fact, Jesus Christ is the only foundation of our salvation. Paul said,11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). We must build our salvation upon this foundation or we will not have any salvation.
· Tested Stone. Jesus was tested (“tried”) in His time on earth and He passed every test. He was tested severely by Satan shortly after His baptism, and He passed this test with flying colors. The cross itself was a test, which Jesus passed in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “yet not my will, but Yours be done.” When it comes to our soul salvation, we need to put our trust in that which is proven and trustworthy. And none is more proven and trustworthy than Jesus Christ.
· Precious Stone: The word “precious” has a double meaning here. First, it means great value. When we speak of precious stones, we speak of stones of great value such as a diamond. Jesus is the Stone of greatest value for He is mighty to save. Second, it means great affection. We call our sweethearts “precious” because we love them. If there is anyone we should love, it is Jesus Christ; for He has saved us from eternal condemnation through His work on the cross. Oh how sweet it is to love Jesus, not merely believe in Him. Is He precious to you?
· Corner Stone. The cornerstone in those days did two important things. First, it tied two walls together. This speaks of the mediator work of Christ Who brings us to God and unites us with Him. Second, it was the pattern of the entire building. The whole building was set up according to the cornerstone. Jesus is both our Mediator and the pattern we need to follow in life. We do this as He lives His life in us.
· Sure Stone. “Sure” means something that will not fail. Christ will never fail. The salvation He provides for us will never fail. It will never let us down. The world makes great promises but fails miserably to fulfill them. But not so Jesus Christ. What He promises He does. You can count on that!
About The Author
Mike Cleveland is the preaching pastor of Ohio Valley Church, and founder and president of Setting Captives Free. He is also author of approximately 20 books on finding freedom in Jesus Christ, which can be found at Amazon or Christian Book.
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