Yesterday, I finished with the book of Psalms. What a wonderful book it is with so many truths and so many things that are practical for every day! Today I begin a study in the book of Isaiah. Posts here will probably not be as frequent, simply due to the nature of the book of Isaiah, but I will post as often as possible. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The first chapter in the book of Isaiah begins by telling about Isaiah's vision. “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (Isaiah 1:1) What did God say in this vision? “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.” (verse 2) Israel was a special people to God, His chosen people. He brought them up out of slavery in Egypt, saw them safely through the wilderness, and brought them to their inheritance in the Promised Land. God also showed His word, His statues, and His judgments to Israel and helped Israel understand them. This is something He did not do for other nations. Psalm 146:19,20 says, “19) He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20) He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” Now, we all have God’s word, and most of us have copies of it for ourselves. At first, however, God only made His word known to Israel. He showed them His word and taught them what it meant. Paul said, “1) What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Isaiah 1:1,2) Considering that God gave the great blessing of His word to Israel, what happened? Why was the nation in trouble? Why was it facing judgment and captivity and a time of fear and distress? Isaiah 1:3 gives the answer, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” The nation of Israel was in trouble because they had forgotten God. They did not even consider Him. What about us as a nation, as a people? Have we forgotten God? Are we facing trouble? Could we be facing more trouble? We can avoid this by turning back to God and acknowledging and fearing Him. God told Ezekiel, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” (Ezekiel 33:11) This was spoken directly to Israel, but turning to God is still the only remedy for any nation. A nation cannot stand in its own strength. Without God, it will surely be brought to distress and destruction. Psalm 150 is the final psalm and is another psalm of praise. This psalm has only six verses, but the word praise is mentioned thirteen times. This is the same number of times that the word “praise” is mentioned in Psalm 148. Let us take a look at this Psalm. Verse one of Psalm 150 says, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.” The language of this verse is interesting. It does not say to praise God in the sanctuary or in the sanctuary with His saints. It says to praise God in His sanctuary. It also says to praise God in the firmament of His power. The implication seems to be that God should be praised everywhere by everyone and everything that He has created, both in earth and in heaven. For what should God be praised? “Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2) God should be praised for the things that He does, His mighty acts. God should be praised for what He is like, for His excellent greatness. How should God be praised? With music and instruments of music. “3) Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5) Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5) The Psalm concludes, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 150:6) I have breath. You have breath. All people alive on earth have breath. Even if we cannot play an instrument or sing very well, we have breath. We can praise the Lord! Let us take some time to praise Him today. The first half of Psalm 149 sets the stage for the triumphant ending. In verses one through the first part of verse six, we see the songs of joy and the high praises of God. There is singing and dancing and delight in the Lord. The meek are blessed as God delights in them and beautifies them with salvation. We see a scene of celebration, like that of victory. Verses five through nine of Psalm 149 tell about the wonderful victory that is coming at the end. This is the time when the Lord will come with the saints to execute judgment on the people and nations that did not believe. The kings and princes that are rebellious against God will suffer the judgment and punishment that has been laid up for them. This is the final victory when the saints come with the Lord and the wicked are punished. However, this is not the judgment of the white throne or the judgment seat of God, which will be the time when the wicked stand before God and are judged directly by Him. Psalm 149:5,6 says, “5) Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand.” What is the two-edged sword? It is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” While the saints sing joyful songs and have the high praises of God in their mouth, they will have the two-edged sword of God’s word in their hands. Why are the saints to have this two-edged sword in their hand? Psalm 149:7-9a says, “7) To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8) To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9) To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.” When will the saints come with the Lord to take vengeance on those who will not believe and who rebel against God? At the end of the tribulation period when Jesus comes to reign. Revelation 19:11-16 explains, “11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” How do we know that the armies in heaven that follow Jesus on the white horse will be the saints? We know because of verses five through eight of Revelation nineteen, “5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” For the wicked, this day of judgment will be a fearful day. None will be able to stand before the Lord and His armies. For the saints, it will be a glorious day – a day of gladness and rejoicing, a day of giving honor to the omnipotent Lord God. “Praise ye the Lord!” (Psalm 149:9b) In verses one through the first half of verse six of this Psalm, we see that Zion (Israel) and all the saints of the Lord are to be joyful in the Lord and to sing to Him. They are to sing both publicly in the presence of other saints (in the congregation) and privately (upon their beds). The praises of the Lord should be sung with enthusiasm and delight. “1) Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2) Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3) Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.” (Psalm 149:1-3) In these verses, we get a picture of joy and pleasure, almost of a delightful celebration, perhaps of victory. The mouth is filled with new song. The people praise the Lord together. They play upon the timbrel and the harp and praise Him with dancing. We see hearts lifted up and joy bubbling over like a fountain. Why should there be such rejoicing among the children of Zion and among the saints? “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” (verse 4) There should be such joy and singing because of God’s blessing. The meek, those who are of a humble and contrite and gentle heart, will be beautified with salvation by the Lord who takes pleasure in them. Praises and songs to the Lord are not only for gatherings of the saints, but also for times of private worship. This Psalm goes on to say, “5) Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6) Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.” (verses 5,6a) Even in the quiet of home, with no one else around, alone with God, songs should be sung to the Lord. The high praises of God should be the theme of those songs. Let us lift our heart with joy today and our voices in a song of high praise to the God who takes pleasure in those that fear Him and beautifies the meek with His salvation. Praise the LORD! Psalm 148 is the praise Psalm. In the fourteen verses of Psalm 148, the word “praise” is mentioned at least thirteen times. That is almost one time for every verse. This happy Psalm talks about all creation joining in praise to the Lord. Let us see all the people and things that God says are to bring praise to Him. The Beings and Things in the Heavens 1. The heavenly beings and the Lord’s host are to praise Him, “1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2) Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.” (Psalm 148:1,2) 2. The lights God hung in the sky are to praise Him. “Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.” (verse 3) 3. The heavens (sky and space) and the waters that be above the heavens are to praise Him. “Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.” (verse 4) Why should these heavenly beings and the things in the heavens praise the Lord? “5) Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6) He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” (verses 5,6) They should all praise the Lord because they were created at His command and they are sustained by His word. People, Animals, and Things on the Earth 1. The dragons and all the things in the deeps (sea) are to praise Him, “Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps.” (verse 7) 2. The forces of nature are to praise Him, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word.” (verse 8) 3. The mountains and hills and trees are to praise Him, “Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars.” (verse 9) 4. Animals, birds and creeping things are to praise Him, “Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl.” (verse 10) 5. Kings and all rulers of the earth are to praise Him, “Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth.” (verse 11) 6. All people are to praise Him, “12) Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13) Let them praise the name of the LORD.” (verses 12, 13a) Why should everything on earth and all the kings and rulers of the earth and all the people of the earth praise God, “…for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.” (verses 13b, 14) Earlier in Psalm 147 we saw the great power of God and God’s control over everything. He controls the weather and brings winter, giving snow and ice at His command. He sends forth His word and ends winter and brings spring. Since we know God can control all these things, we know that God’s word is powerful. No one can stand against God’s word, and God always keeps His word. In verses nineteen and twenty of Psalm 147, God has a special word just for His people Israel. Verse nineteen says, “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.” When God chose Israel for Himself, He gave them a special blessing. He taught to them His word, His statues, and His judgments. Verse twenty goes on to say, “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” Now, since Jesus has come and broken down the middle wall of partition between us, we all have access to copies of God’s word – both Jew and Gentile. Originally, God’s word was given specifically to Israel. He showed it to them and helped them know what it means. Romans 3:1,2 says, “1) What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” God committed His word to them or entrusted it to them. What were they do to with His word? Psalm 78:5-7 says, “5) For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6) That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7) That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” They were to teach them to their children so that their children could teach them to their children and so on. The words of God were to be passed down to each generation so that they might set their hope in God, remember His works, and keep His commandments. Israel turned its back on God. They went into captivity and suffered there many years. When Jesus came, they did not recognize Him as their Messiah. They suffered even more and were spread abroad all over the earth. But God has not forgotten them. One day He will come to the remnant of Israel and turn them back to Himself. Isaiah 59:20,21 tells more, “20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” God is a faithful God. He is of great power, and His understanding is infinite. God made the stars and knows their names; He makes rain and causes grass to grow; He feeds the beasts and the birds; He takes pleasure in and watches over those who fear Him; He makes winter and snow and ice; He melts the snow and ice and brings the spring. The God who can do all these things gave His word to Israel and committed it to them. He chose Israel for Himself and one day will redeem the remnant of Israel to Himself. This is a mighty God with a very sure word. If we know the Lord Jesus as our Savior, this mighty God is our God, and we can trust His sure word. We can depend on the Lord if we fear Him. We can set our hope in God, for He does not fail. |
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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