Friday Morning Prayer:) November 28, 2019

November 28, 2019 - 8 minutes read

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation

Come, all you hear, now to His temple draw near

Join me in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning

Sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining

Have you not seen all that is needful has been

Sent by his gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you

Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriends you

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee

Op’ning to the Sun above

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee

God of glory, Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee

Op’ning to the Sun above[1]

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”[2]

___________

The praise hymn above is a combination of two hymns: “Praise the Lord, the Almighty”[3] and “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”[4] “O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?… Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”[5] You know those days when God seems distant or the flesh is struggling to pursue the Almighty. The emotional pain, the heartache just lingers, motivation is low, anxious thoughts, uncertainty, downcast mood. O soul be encouraged this day of “Thanksgiving” as every day we give thanks to the God of all comfort who knows about your every struggling step and cares for you and me beyond human measure. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”[6]

Piper interjects the following comments during the song, “Though you slay me.”[7]

“Every millisecond of your pain from the fallen nature or fallen man, every millisecond of your misery in the path of obedience is producing a peculiar glory you will get because of that…. It’s doing something. It’s not meaningless. Of course you can’t see what it’s doing. Don’t look to what is seen…. It’s working for you an eternal weight of glory. Therefore, therefore do not lose heart. But take these truths and day by day focus on them; preach them to yourself every morning. Get alone with God and preach his word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for.”[8]

‘Therefore, therefore do not lose heart!’ To rejoice and be joyful always, pray continually with thankfulness in all circumstances is impossible without glorious grace the presence of our God indwelling empowering comforting sustaining our new life in Jesus. Beloved in Jesus, “Come behold the wondrous mystery in the dawning of the King. He the theme of heaven’s praises robed in frail humanity. In our longing, in our darkness now the light of life has come. Look to Christ, who condescended took on flesh to ransom us….”[9] As the Psalmist, you, me, and every truly regenerate heart reflect and overflow in humble thankfulness our inmost longings for God’s sustaining grace, love, comfort, and life-changing mercy. “Out of the depths I cry to you. O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy…. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord…”[10]

Our high calling is to love others, encourage, show mercy and extend much grace as God gives ample opportunities, to the glory of our gracious God! The words of the hymn reflect supernatural reality of our merciful change your life God, “Mortals, join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began; God’s own love is reigning o’er us, joining people hand in hand. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife;”[11] Therefore, we live anew in constantly recurring prayer, ever-growing out of a settled attitude of dependence on our most gracious God.

Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.[12]

Happy! Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him

All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him

Let the Amen sound from His people again

Gladly forever adore Him

___________

Sisters are meeting to pray! First Baptist, 1912 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0900

You are always welcome to join Christian gals for a time of encouragement and prayer. We are very thankful for the prayers of the saints, especially diverse gals who love Jesus and allow with intentional pursuit this supernatural love to overflow.

Brothers are meeting too! Alpine Youth Center, 2153 Arnold Way, Alpine, 0730.

Join us for a time of prayer, love for the brethren, a song of praise, and supernatural encouragement as the Holy Spirit empowers and guides our time together. It is truly a joy to join with men who love Jesus! No pressure, no expectations, just humble before the throne of grace, joyful, joyful we adore Thee!

[1] https://youtu.be/pRdB93JaHLo?list=RDpRdB93JaHLo

[2] Psalm 29:1-2

[3] https://hymnary.org/text/praise_to_the_lord_the_almighty_the_king

[4] http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/j/o/y/f/joyful.htm

[5] http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/u/r/turnyour.htm

[6] 2 Corinthians 1:1-4

[7] https://youtu.be/VlTtWQRNock?t=4

[8] https://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY?list=RDpRdB93JaHLo&t=202

[9] https://davidmtoledo.com/hymn-reflection-come-behold-the-wondrous-mystery-1920de57ad1d

[10] Psalm 130