Needing Strength

O. T. #1282  "Needing Strength"
Sept. 11, 2018
Psalm 81
Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.  Psalm 81:1

LET IT GLOW

Every year on 9/11, I think of the tragic attacks of the enemies' use of our planes to kill so many innocent Americans. Evil is real and around us, striving to bring us to stumble in our walk of faith and obedience with Jesus. But were heroes that day, too. I heard of one man that lead four groups of people down to the ground for safety. He had been in his office on the 104th floor, above the point of impact of the plane in the twin towers. (Before he became an executive, his father gave him a red handkerchief, which he always carried.) Later, when the rubble was searched, that man was identified by it.) We don't know how many people he helped save that day. What a hero! When he got up that morning, he didn't know it was going to be his last day to live here on earth, nor that he would have an opportunity to save the lives of so many people. To our grandchildren, it is but a tragic  story they read about in history books. To us who saw the videos and read the accounts, it was real.

You know, we may never have the answers to our questions as to why God allows certain things to happen, while we are living here on this planet. Those answers may not come until we see Jesus.
In the meantime, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. (Ps. 46:1-2)
Not money, not military might, not diplomacy, not human cleverness-but God.(Billy Graham)

Is God our refuge and strength to carry on His work of love? Opening our heart and life to Jesus can make it so.

Now, shall we take a look at our chapter? How does the song begin? The people are called to sing aloud with hearty and joyful praise to the Lord, their strength. (verse 1) Loud singing usually indicates earnestness and sincerity of heart.

Strength, as it is used here, has more than one definition, strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise): boldness, loud, might, power.

God had been Israel's strength in yesteryears. Especially during the 400 years of slavery in Egypt, meeting needs in the wilderness,  then during the conquering of the Promised Land.

Is God our strength? His grace is sufficient. Can we sing loudly His praises, making a joyful noise unto Him?

LET IT GROW

Not using only the voice, but the psalmist tells the Israelites to praise God using what?

• timbrel-a tambourine, mostly used by women's hands. (It is mentioned 3 times in the book of Psalms, 149:3 and 150:4.);
• pleasant harp,
• psaltery-a six-stringed guitar;
• blow the trumpet.

The harp and trumpet were used in the time of specific feast-Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Trumpets. God inhabits our praise. Do we praise Him with a joyful noise? That does not limit the praise to just the good singers. Anyone and everyone can sing His praises. The question is, "Do we do it joyfully?" Now that is a challenge.

LET IT GO

Turn to the God of strength to be my strength.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.