Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob. This He established in Joseph as a testimony, when He went throughout the land of Egypt, where I heard a language I did not understand. (vs1-5)
We have received something to do, which is to praise and love God (vs1-5). He says, “For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob. This He established in Joseph as a testimony”. We are not to be indifferent towards Christ, but we're to receive Him as meeting our every need and loving Him because of it. Grace is praiseworthy, and we're right to receive His love, so that we can praise Him in return. This is no optional thing, as if I don't want to bother God! It is the command of holy scripture, whereby I must feast on Him, live receiving His grace continually and undeservedly, whereby joy and thanks arise in my heart, even praise. We don't praise because we “want” to, but because He commands it, and it is best for us. He told Saul, who became Paul, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5).
Make sure that you praise Christ, because He hasn't made it optional. You may trust Him for salvation - pardon, and power over sin - thanking Him for making you able to obey, or you can rebel wickedly. But, we have God's EASY command, for it is easier than the thankless life that leads to destruction. John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome...Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:3-5). It is easy to get from God, not because we have Him as a genie, but because it is all free. He gives us ALL that we need to love Christ in thankfulness, forgiving and giving continually. Be thankful because He graciously meets your needs.
Secondly, look at the past, and all that He's done. He's REDEEMED you, so why not live feasting on Him (vs6-7)? He says, “I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah”. It would be wrong to say, “He died for me, and made me holy, saving me from sin, but I won't trust Him now. I'll fend for myself, and live praising SOMETHING other than Christ the Giver of every good thing”. It would be thankless to forget what marvelous things He has DONE, and then look elsewhere to sin or to self for tomorrow. It is wise to praise God, to believe, and to feast continually on His provision. He says, “"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54).
It is better to walk by faith, doing God's will, and receiving promises, than it is to turn my back on the One who saved my soul. Don't be misled. Gospel logic leads to life long faith, not merely the beginning, or in part. We are not to trust Him for the soul on the Last Day, and yet fend for ourselves in the every day life of now.
Finally, here is the promise: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” (vs8-16). He says, “"Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” He has saved us, not to cast us off until heaven, having no help for us here. But, He's saved us to guide us, lead us, and provide everything for us to His praise and honor. We are to BELIEVE God, look to Him for everything, and walk by faith, rather than sight and self-preservation (Matt 16:25-26). We're to live abandoned to Christ, leaning on Him, receiving from Him, and praising Him continually for His gifts to us, which are GREATER than we expected. We're to expect peace, joy, provision, and power from on high. Someone today said that having a good day has less to do with the circumstances... what happens... than it does with the God-given condition of faith, whereby we TRUST God by the Spirit and bring fruit because of it.
Open your mouth wide for your peace, your power, and your joy! Open your mouth WIDE for your necessary food and drink. God hasn't promised you earthly wealth, but He will care for you, hearing your prayers. Open your mouth wide for others. We don't know who God will save, and He won't save everyone that we pray for, but let's live looking to Him, living miraculously. Let us go to the doctor and bless God. Let us buy the food in the morning and praise the Lord's bounty. Let us seek better behavior, get it, and live thanking God for grace.
Open your mouth wide, telling God what you need and TRUSTING Him to provide! Open up like a baby eagle who stretches her jaws so wide, so that she can receive something from her mother. Open, open, open: believe, believe, believe. Look to Him and no where else!
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