Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 7, 2015
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-47, 49-50
I could see love in their faces. Some leathery and wrinkled from the toils and trials of life, others youthful: smooth cheeked and white toothed— both beaming with the joy of Jesus captured on their countenance. My fifth trip in ten years to India felt like my first. Why? I’m not sure, but something about the heart of the people: pure, fresh and faith filled. Their unintelligible Hindi prayers and praise escorted my soul into the presence of our Savior. The Holy Spirit, like a knife through hot butter, cut to the depths of my being. I wept in the presence of great lovers of God.
Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus, was caught up in rapturous praise and adoration of her Lord and Savior. Faith not fear, moved her once anxious heart closer to God in her time of challenge: pregnancy, travel and being in the spotlight. Shy perhaps, but submitted to the will of the One who called her to bear the Christ child. The dusty, rough road to Bethlehem—with its exposed and uncomfortable accommodations, only emboldened her heartfelt praise. History was altered, not about her, but Him. She glorified the Mighty One for His mighty work in and through her.
‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:1-2).
Magnify the Lord in worship, rejoice in and praise His holy name in song. God has done extraordinary things for you, in you and through you. He created you in His image and He saved you to grow into the image of His son Jesus. As you fear and adore Him—He pours out His abundant grace and mercy on you. A life compelled by willful worship is captured by Christ. Yes, your praise models gratitude to God for the next generation to mightily rejoice in Jesus Christ!
Gratitude is God’s gift to us out of our heartfelt praise to Him. Like the mighty Mississippi River, thankfulness fills to overflowing the soul that sings out to its Savior. As we adore the Lord for His loving presence—He awards us the gift of security. We worship the Holy One in the rarified air of His righteousness, while His Spirit bestows holiness into our hearts. Our heartfelt praise guarantees generational engagement with God. We are secure aliens—but the Holy Spirit’s influence is without borders. Like Mary, we are instruments of Christ’s work in and through us.
“I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are my great God who does great things!
Application: Who in the next generation needs me to model adoration of God?
Related Readings: Psalm 78:4; Isaiah 61:10; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Peter 2:10-12
Post/Tweet this today: A life compelled by willful worship is captured by Christ’s love. #heartfeltpraise #WisdomHunters
Worship Resource: 5 minute video- Hillsong: Praise the Lord
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