by this beautiful song.
May you be blessed, comforted and encouraged by this beautiful song.
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Another joyful time of celebration that stands out is the celebration of the Passover that took place under King Hezekiah’s reign. Although this was not really a Thanksgiving feast, it was certainly a time of national rejoicing and celebration. The account of this event can be read in II Chronicles 29 – 31. The first thing that took place was that the Levites sanctified themselves and the house of the LORD God and took all the filthiness out of the temple. Anything that did not belong there was removed. Everything unclean was taken out. They also opened up the porches and lit the lamps and prepared things for burning incense. They were also encouraged to make a covenant before the Lord. Offerings were made for sin and then peace and drink offerings were made as well. The Levites were set in their places with the instruments of David and the priests with the trumpets. Besides the trumpets, there were cymbals and psalteries and harps. “And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.” (II Chronicles 29:28) The time of offering was followed by worship and glad singing, “29) And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. 30) Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.” (verses 29 and 30) After the time of worship and singing, more sacrifices were offered, as well as thank offerings. These came from everyone who gave from a free heart. “So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.” (verses 35b and 36) When this time of removing the unclean and preparing the hearts and the house of the Lord was finished, Hezekiah sent letters out to all Israel and Judah and Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the house of the Lord to keep the Passover. “For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” (II Chronicles 30:9) Not everyone came to keep the Passover, but many did. And what a Passover it was! “21) And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22) And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.” (verses 21,22) This observance of the Passover was such a wonderful time that “the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness... 26)So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27) Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” (verses 23,26,27) When this feast was over, the Israelites continued cleaning up the sin and defilement from the nation, “Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.” (II Chronicles 31:1) After this, the priests and the Levites were set in their courses and fulfilled their duties. The people gave such as they needed for the work. The people gave so much that “as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly… they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps… And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel… And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” (See verses 5 – 10) When things are done God’s way, and when the sin and defilement are removed, there is great rejoicing and gladness and blessing from the Lord. May it be so once again in our nation. What a time of joy that would be! Another thanksgiving feast mentioned in the Bible was celebrated when the ark of the covenant was brought back up to Jerusalem out of the house of Obededom. It was a celebration of joy and singing. Levites were appointed to carry the ark, singers were appointed, offerings were made, and musical instruments were played. Levites were chosen to minister before the Lord and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel. David wrote a psalm especially for this occasion and gave it into the hands of Asaph and his brethren. This was sung and accompanied by psalteries, harps, cymbals, and trumpets. There was also food -- bread and meat and drink enough for everyone! What a triumphant occasion this must have been. Here are just a few verses of this psalm. May it remind us of the greatness and goodness of God and bring our hearts rejoicing too. “8) Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11) Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12) Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth… 23) Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 24) Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26) For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27) Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28) Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 30) Fear before him, all the earth… 34) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35) And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.” (excerpts from David’s psalm found in I Chronicles 16:8-35) I have been continuing in my studies in Isaiah, which are being posted on my other blog. This week, however, I would like to take a little time to focus on the goodness of God and on giving of thanks. This week Americans will celebrate a special holiday called Thanksgiving. Surely, we should be thankful to God and give Him praise every day of the year, but this day is specifically set aside to remember the things that God has done and the mercies and goodness of God. There are several other countries that also have their version of Thanksgiving celebration. These include Australia, Canada, Granada, Liberia, Netherlands, and Saint Lucia. Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving on October 12th, and Granada celebrates theirs on October 25th. Thanksgiving feasts are nothing new and date back to Bible times. In the days of Nehemiah, there was a big thanksgiving feast in Jerusalem after the wall was built. The people were very grateful that God had allowed them to go back into Jerusalem and to rebuild the wall. It was a time of joy, singing, feasting and celebration. Nehemiah encouraged the people, “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Why celebrate this year? This has been a very hard year in almost every way for so many people. Times are hard. Everything is changing. But there is One who has not changed. Though all around us seems to be so troubled and things do not look good, God is still good. God has not changed. Psalm 65:11 says, “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” Also, Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Sometimes it is hard to see what benefits God has bestowed upon us, but the Bible says He loads them upon us daily. What are some things God’s children have to be grateful for, especially those of us here in the United States? Our pastor mentioned some things we have to be thankful for in his sermon yesterday. 1. Our church The devil cannot defeat the Lord’s church, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. 2. Family 3. Friends 4. Jesus (Jesus is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother) 5. Mercy 6. Grace 7. Our country. Though we are in a trouble now and sin is so prevalent, it seems that much of the nation has a reprobate mind, we have been a country blessed by God and given many benefits by God. 8. Salvation 9. Heaven 10. Hell is not my destination because Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. Perhaps there are other things we can think of too – beautiful flowers, the song of birds, the fact that we are alive and God has protected us all throughout the year to this date, the presence of God who will never leave us nor forsake us, God’s promise to hold us up with His right hand, a hiding place under the shelter of God’s wings, and many more. As we go through this week with its blessings and challenges, let us take some time to reflect on the benefits God is loading upon us and remember that God is good. It may be easier to see the hard things and to dwell on them, but there are still many things for which we can give thanks. Perhaps a good portion of Scripture for starting out the week and to meditate upon throughout the week would be Psalm 100, which is just five short verses. 1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Note: I am continuing my studies in Isaiah, but I try to keep this blog specifically for encouragement. Some things in Isaiah simply aren't very encouraging. But they are all the word of God and very important, given to us especially by God. To read my posts on Isaiah, visit my other blog. Here is a heads up though. My other blog is where I often post about political things. It does have my views and opinions on political matters. Anyway, click here if you wish to visit my other blog. “35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, nothing at all. |
About the Author
Hello! My name is Connie, and I live in North Carolina. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents, a wonderful sister, and a great church family . The past few years have been difficult in many ways, but God has been with me all the way. Much praise goes to the Lord for His guidance and wisdom in starting this website. I would also like to express my thanks to Valerie who has joyfully and willingly given of her time to help design this website and do much of the technical work. She and her family are faithful servants to the Lord. They also have gone through many trials in the past few years, but they have allowed God to use these trials to make them sweeter and more like His Son Jesus Christ. Rights:
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