Who Do You Praise?

O. T. #2127 "Who Do You Praise?"

Feb. 11, 2022

Amos 7-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Here we are friend, at the last of the psalms written. It is a song of praise to our LORD. When was the last time you recognized something God did just for you? Did you ho hum it or praise Him for it?

Praise means to boast, to rave, glory, celebrate.

Where and how are we to praise the LORD God?

• Praise God in His sanctuary. How beautiful it is when brothers and sisters in the faith sing together His praises.
• Praise Him in His mighty heaven. God is always on His throne and the earth is His footstool. His thoughts and ways are above us.
• Praise Him for His mighty works. Thank Him for the beautiful creation around us and provisions for us.
• Praise His excellent greatness. He alone is God and unequaled in greatness.
• Praise Him with instruments and dancing. What joy I had when I saw the white truck back into my driveway and filled my propane tank so we could have heat during the very cold, snowy days last week! I was dancing for joy, thanking my God!
• Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (verse 6)

Are we celebrating the breath of life and beat of our heart that God gives us right now? Do we rave about what blessings He has bestowed upon us? Will we give God the glory for the things He has done?

Will we stop and praise our Savior Jesus for dying on the cross for us? For His mercy and grace and forgiveness?

*So I looked up the first mention of the word praise. It was given by a woman, Leah, after her fourth son, Judah (Jacob's son), was born. I find it strange that it took that long for someone to praise the Lord God. Also, it took David 7 psalms before he praised the Lord.

How long does it take us?

LET IT GROW

Amos had five visions from God concerning the future of Israel, the northern kingdom. They were not of blessings, but of judgment which the Lord was going to pour out on His people. Israel would not repent of their idolatry and immorality. Although God is slow to anger, He does discipline His children.

The first vision was one of grasshoppers destroying the crops. Amos prayed and asked God to not do it, for Israel was small. Then the second vision came, one of fire. This was concerned with a devastating drought, causing the underground water supplies to dry up and the fields to be consumed. (MacArthur)

A second time Amos interceded for the people of Israel. They were already few in number, and if God had carried out this judgment, there would be none left.

Israel had fallen and cannot help them up, nor did he have a friend to help them. What would become of them if God's hand was raised against them and not to help them?

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord God. (verse 6)

Matthew Henry says, "God did not change His mind, for He is in one mind and who can turn Him? But He changed His way, took another course, and determined to deal in mercy and not in wrath."

God did not bring the drought upon Israel. The sad condition of his people moved Amos to pray for them. James said, in 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

In the Hebrew, the word fervent means zeal (eagerness, passion); prayer is petition, request; righteous refers to innocent, holy, right.

Oh, believer, are we eagerly and with passion requesting the Lord God to save our loved ones?  Where is our prayer for our nation that has strayed from God's Word and principles? Are we interceding for others to repent of sin in turning to God? Death is only a breath away. Then it is too late. We must be urgent now to do kingdom work while it is day.

LET IT GO

In the waiting, searching, walking in brokenness, will we praise our Savior?

In the good times and hard times will we sing  praises to Jesus?