Prayer, Praise and Promises

[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 47:1-9

Our Song of Praise

Read Psalm 47:1-9

"For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding" (v. 7). If anything should turn our hearts to joy and praise, it is that God is the King of all the earth. "God reigns over the nations" (v. 8). Circumstances may not always reflect this. What we read in the newspapers or see on the news may not give evidence that God is reigning, but He is! The Lord Jesus is enthroned in heaven today, and everything is under His sovereign control.

Someone may say, "But if He's running the whole world, He can't take much time for me." That isn't true. God sees your needs. He knows your name. He has numbered the hairs on your head. The King of all the universe is concerned about you.

Because God is King, we should sing. This psalm starts, "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth" (vv. 1,2). God is sovereign, gracious and loving and therefore deserves our adoration. The psalmist implores in verse 6, "Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!" The best way to prove you believe that God is King is to sing praises. When we complain, we are saying that God doesn't know what He is doing, that He is not in control. But when we sing praises to the Lord, we acknowledge that He is King over all the earth.

The world refuses to acknowledge God as King and rebels against His authority. But God's people know He reigns over all the earth. You can sing His praises, for you know that He is also a gracious and loving God. You can praise Him because, as your personal Lord, He meets your needs. Praise Him today for who He is and what He has done in your life.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Revelation 19 Psalm 47:1-9

Timeless Praise

Read Psalm 47:1-9

Our praise of God is a timeless act of worship. We can look at this psalm from three different points in time. First, we can view it from the historic past. This is one of three psalms that highlight Hezekiah's great victory over Sennacherib (Ps. 46-8). What did the Lord do for the people of Judah? He came down (vv. 1-4), went up (v. 5) and sat down (vv. 8,9). This is a picture of what the Lord did for us: He came to earth to die for our sins, was resurrected and is now seated in heaven.

We also can view this psalm from the prophetic future. Israel has yet to go through the time of Jacob's trouble. But Jesus will come down and win the victory (Rev. 19), and Israel will enter into the glorious praises of the Lord. Today all the nations rage, but in the future they will praise Him. Jesus will come and establish His kingdom and keep His promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants so that they are innumerable.

Or we can view this psalm from the practical present. To worship God means to render to Him all the praise and adoration of our heart--a total response of all we are for all that He is. This psalm gives us hints about worship. First, the center of our worship is God (v. 1). We worship a victorious God. Second, the purpose of our worship is to exalt Him (v. 9). We are to magnify His greatness. Praise is a witness as well as an experience of worship. Let's exalt the Lord, for He is worthy of our praise.

Praising God knows no time boundaries. His people always have and always will praise Him. We praise God to exalt Him and to magnify His greatness. Do you worship Him with praise?
Copyright© 1992, used with permission, all rights reserved.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 48:1-8

Citizens of Zion

Read Psalm 48:1-8

The people of Israel always have been proud of Jerusalem. Psalm 48 describes the city this way: "Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion" (v. 2). Not everyone would agree with that description today, especially in light of the serious political and racial problems connected with Jerusalem. But I think the psalmist is referring here to the heavenly Mount Zion as well. Hebrews 12 tells us that Christians are citizens of the heavenly Zion.

God dwelt in Jerusalem. The psalmist describes how armies came to capture Zion. But when they saw this great city, they went away in fear. "For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. Fear and pain took hold of them (vv. 4-6). What did the armies discover when they looked at Jerusalem? First, they discovered the greatness of God. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God" (v. 1).

Second, they realized God is a Refuge to His people. "God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge" (v. 3). God is not only a King; He's One to whom we can come with all of our problems and needs. As God established Mount Zion, so He will establish us. As God built this city, He is building our lives. You may wonder why you experience sorrow, disappointment, heartache, perhaps even tragedy. God is building you and protecting you. So you don't have to be afraid.

God established the city of Jerusalem, and His greatness in and around the city was evident. Likewise, you are a citizen of the heavenly Zion, and He dwells within. As your Refuge, God protects and looks after your needs. Let Him care for you and establish you.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 48:9-14

Even Unto Death

Read Psalm 48:9-14

No one has more civic pride than the Jewish people who live in Jerusalem. While talking to a tour guide in Israel, my wife asked, "Where were you born?" The guide stood tall, his face brightened, and he said, "I was born in Jerusalem." The Jews love their city, and for good reason.

The psalmist says, "Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following" (vv. 12,13). But he isn't referring to a city.

He means God, the One in whom you trust: "For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death." That is a marvelous statement! He is our God. He owns us. He purchased us. He made us. He lives in us. He is our God forever and ever. The thought overwhelms me!

But He is more than just our God--He is also our Guide. He will be our guide even unto death. He guides us in this life, so we don't have to be afraid. He has a path for each of us to follow today. He wants to keep us off detours and help us reach the goal He has planned for us. Verse 14 applies to you and me today. He is our God and our Guide, so we don't have to be afraid. Whatever He starts, He finishes.

God is your God not only for this present life but for eternity. As you meditate on the Word of God, His Spirit uses its truth to guide you along the path of His will. You never have to fear death, for your Lord is with you in death and beyond it. Is Jesus Christ your Savior? If so, let Him also be your Guide throughout life.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 48:1-14 Lamentations 2:15-15 Genesis 12:1-3 Nehemiah 12:27-47

Pilgrimage to Zion

Read Psalm 48:1-14

Many Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate when they heard about Hezekiah's great victory over Sennacherib (II Kings 18,19). Christians today are citizens of the heavenly Zion and are also making a pilgrimage (Heb. 12:18-24).

As pilgrims, we talk about Zion (vv. 1-3). We talk about the God who has made Zion great and about His protection. We talk about Zion's beauty. Spiritually, Zion is the joy of the whole earth (Gen. 12:1-3).

As pilgrims, we see Zion (vv. 4-8). We look to Jerusalem and are encouraged in our faith. Hezekiah had no way to fight the Assyrians, but he had the Lord. He spread a blasphemous letter from the Assyrians before the Lord and turned everything over to Him. God acted. The Assyrian army was outside, waiting to plunder the city, but they were gone as suddenly as a woman who is taken by childbirth (v. 5). When we're in the will of God, we have His protection.

As pilgrims, we enter Zion (vv. 9-11). The Jews went to the temple first. It's good to ponder history. I trust that when you are at church you think about God's lovingkindness and about taking His praise to the ends of the earth (v. 10). We have a greater victory to share with the earth: our Lord Jesus died for us and has risen again.

As pilgrims, we walk about Zion (vv. 12-14). This is a triumphant procession of praise. When Nehemiah rededicated the wall, two choirs walked around the wall and met (Neh. 12:27-47). Appreciate what you have and what God has done for you, that you may tell the following generation. Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not stay faithful (Lam. 2:15). Let's be careful that we don't take our blessings for granted.

You are making a pilgrimage to the heavenly Zion. Be encouraged, for you have God's protection. That you are on a pilgrimage should be evident in your daily living. Praise Him for what He has done for you.
Copyright© 1992, used with permission, all rights reserved.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 49:1-13 Matthew 19:23

Don't Trust in Wealth

Read Psalm 49:1-13

The writer of this psalm certainly had the right attitude toward wealth. He warns, "Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (vv. 6,7). Money cannot take us to heaven, "for the redemption of their souls is costly" (v. 8). It cost the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! In fact, Jesus warned that money keeps some people out of heaven. "It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:23).

Not only can money not take us to heaven, but money cannot rescue us from death. "Their inner thought [the thoughts of these wealthy people] is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names" (v. 11). But, the psalmist says, these wealthy people will die just as animals die.

Money cannot conquer death, and money cannot go with us, but we can use it wisely while we have it. "For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others" (v. 10).

The psalmist advises us not to trust in wealth but to trust in the Lord. It is not a sin to have the things that money can buy as long as you don't lose the things that money can't buy (eternal life). Don't have any false confidence that simply because the bank account looks good you're going to live. You can't take your money with you, but you can use it today for God's glory. When you do that, you are investing it in eternity. Make your wealth eternal by letting God direct your use of it.

Wealth can't be trusted. Although a powerful resource, its power is limited to this temporal world. It cannot get you into heaven or conquer death. Do you trust in the world's resources when you should be trusting in God?

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 49:14-20

Two Warnings

Read Psalm 49:14-20

"Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away" (vv. 16,17). Wealth is temporary. We can't take it with us, so we must use it for the glory of God while we have it. God gives us riches because of His goodness. First Timothy 6:17 says He gives to us "richly all things to enjoy." But we are stewards of wealth, not owners. That comes as a shock to some people. A person may think he owns his house and all of the possessions he has purchased. Yet when he dies, he is separated from them forever.

The psalmist gives two warnings regarding material possessions. First, beware of having a false security. People buy houses and put their names on them, but one day those houses will be torn down. Or, if the house isn't torn down, someone will come by and say, "That name on that house. Who was that fellow?" And the reply will be, "I don't know. Never heard of him." People try to perpetuate their fame through their wealth, but eventually they fail.

Second, beware of wasted opportunity. We can invest what God has entrusted to us in His work. We can help other people. The wealth that God gives to us--if we are faithful stewards--can be transformed into ministry that brings everlasting glory to Him. Don't waste your opportunity to serve Him this way.

To many, wealth often is their security. But it is a false security because riches are temporary. God alone gives wealth, and He expects it to be shared and used for His glory. Are you a faithful steward of what God has given you?

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference 1 Peter 4:17 Romans 8:1 Psalm 50:1-6

Court Summons

Read Psalm 50:1-6

The psalmist is describing God's arrival at the court He is convening. "From the rising of the sun [the east] to its going down [the west]" (v. 1), God calls everyone together and says, "I am going to have a judgment." We don't usually think of God as the Judge, but He is. "He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people" (v. 4).

Why does God judge His people? Shouldn't the wicked be judged instead? Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of the Lord (I Pet. 4:17). Our sins were judged at Calvary. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). But our works will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

God does this because He's concerned about His glory. "Out of Zion . . . God will shine" (v. 2). He wants us to glorify Him. He wants us to do His will. Also, God wants to reward His faithful servants. If you need a motivation for faithful service, remember that God will judge and will reward those who are faithful. If you are obeying Him today, you won't have to fear your court summons.

God will one day judge all His saints. Have you been faithful to the Lord? Have you glorified Him with your life? Make your "court appearance" a time that will glorify Him.
Copyright© 1992, used with permission, all rights reserved.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 50:7-15

What God Wants

Read Psalm 50:7-15

"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me what I have already given to you.'

Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work? God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us. God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).

The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the Lord.

God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring glory to Himself.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 50:16-23

Is God Selfish?

Read Psalm 50:16-23

"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me" (v. 23). Today we don't sacrifice bulls and goats and lambs. We don't have a literal altar to which we bring literal sacrifices. The sacrifices God wants from us come from our hearts. Even when we bring money--which is a literal and real sacrifice--it must be given from a heart of love, sincerity and faith. Our purpose for living is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

The more you glorify God, the more you delight in Him. The more you delight in Him, the more you enjoy Him. Your life becomes enriched as you glorify God.

Is God selfish when He wants us to glorify Him? If I walked up to you and said, "I want you to glorify me by praising me," it would sound terribly proud. But God is the greatest Being in the universe. None is greater. None is higher. God is sovereign. So when He asks us to praise Him, He wants us to experience the highest thing possible--the praise and worship of God.

One way we praise God is by doing good works. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). We praise Him through worship. We praise Him through an orderly, godly lifestyle. "And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God" (v. 23). We have something to offer, and we have something to order. We offer praise by faith. We order our lives by obedience. Verse 23 is simply saying what the well-known hymn "Trust and Obey" says:

Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

God deserves to be glorified. And He gives us the privilege of worshipping Him. Do you delight in the Lord? Live in obedience to His Word and start enjoying Him.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Hebrews 12:29 Matthew 7:21 Psalm 50:1-23

A Reprieve for the Guilty

Read Psalm 50:1-23

This psalm describes God's courtroom and the judgment of His people, who made a covenant with Him by sacrifice. There are three stages to this trial. First, God convenes the court (vv. 1-6). God calls the earth and then comes. He comes shining and will not keep silent (v. 3; Heb. 12:29). He calls heaven and earth to witness (vv. 5,6).

Second, God presents the charges (vv. 7-21). He starts with those who bring sacrifices to Him. He doesn't rebuke their sacrifices, but He is concerned about the way they bring them. God wants spiritual sacrifices from the heart: praise, obedience and prayers (v. 15).

Then he speaks to the wicked. They declare God's statutes, yet they aren't obeying them (Matt. 7:21). They think His silence is His approval.

Third, God declares the conclusion (vv. 22,23). He could declare everyone guilty. Instead, He offers a reprieve. "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."

One day our lives will be judged. Let's do what God asks us to do and walk out of the courtroom free.

Someday you will be on trial at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where your works will be judged by God. Are you prepared for trial in His courtroom? Do your sacrifices come from your heart?

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 51:1-19 Proverbs 28:13 1 John 1:5-2:6

Restored Fellowship

Read Psalm 51:1-19

All of us struggle with sin. Human nature pulls us down as gravity does, yet God has made us and saved us to lift us up (I John 1:5-2:6). There are three ways we may deal with our sins.

Cover them. We cover our sins with our words. This is lying--deceiving others and ourselves and lying to God. Lies are darkness, whereas God's truth is light. When we lie, our character erodes (Prov. 28:13). When we cover sin, we lose God's light, fellowship and character.

Confess them. Admit and judge them--agree with God about your sin. This involves the heart and the will. Some people have died because they repeatedly, willfully, proudly and arrogantly defied the will of God. Admit you are a sinner, say what is wrong and then come to Him and name it. Confess your sin only in the circle of those influenced by it--individuals or family. (Don't become an exhibitionist with the public.) Confession brings release, freedom, forgiveness and a new beginning.

Conquer them. Jesus is in heaven today as our Advocate--as a Lawyer before the Father. Abide in Him, love Him, walk with Him in the light of His Word. Keep His commandments. Fellowship is a by-product of our walk with God. To love Him is to serve Him and obey His commandments.

Are you covering sin or conquering sin in your life? Confess any known sin and ask God to clean your heart. He wants to forgive you so He can restore fellowship with you.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Psalm 51:1-2 Psalm 32

The High Cost of Committing Sin

Read Psalm 51:1,2

The most priceless thing in the universe is the human soul. We see its value at Calvary, because the most costly thing in the world--our sin--required the payment of Jesus' blood to redeem us.

We also see sin's toll on our lives. Before David sinned he was a friend of God, straight, meeting His goals. After he sinned he was a crooked rebel, missing the mark. Psalms 32 and 51 relate the spiritual change that took place when David confessed his sin of adultery and murder.

We don't have to rehearse David's sin. The story of how he committed adultery, murdered a man and tried to cover up his sin for a year is well known. The effects were disastrous. If we really understood what sin is and what sin does, it would keep us from deliberately sinning against God. But we don't see sin the way He does.

Sin is a process. David uses three different words for what he did. Transgressions refers to rebellion against God. Iniquity conveys the crookedness of the sinner. Sin means to miss the mark. David also uses three verbs to ask for forgiveness. Blot out refers to paying a debt. Wash indicates that sin defiles the entire person. Cleanse means the sinner is like a leper, in need of total healing.

Before you yield to temptation, remember how it damaged David. Count the high cost of committing sin, and you will be less inclined to do it.

The human soul was purchased at the highest cost possible--the death of God's Son. Do you entertain temptations? The cost of committing sin is greater than you can afford. When you find yourself beginning the process of sin, claim the promises of God's Word. God will strengthen and protect you and enable you to overcome temptation. Also, rejoice that He forgives you when you do sin.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference Proverbs 28:13 Matthew 5:8 Psalm 51:3-6

Dirty Windows

Read Psalm 51:3-6

Sin is much more than a word in the dictionary. It is a powerful evil that damages our lives and our world. David describes a guilty conscience: "For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me" (v. 3). Conscience is a marvelous gift from God, the window that lets in the light of His truth. If we sin against Him deliberately, that window becomes dirty, and not as much truth can filter through. Eventually, the window becomes so dirty that it no longer lets in the light. The Bible calls this a defiled, seared conscience.

David covered his sin for about a year. He refused to be broken. He refused to humble himself before God. And what was his life like? "He who covers his sins will not prosper" (Prov. 28:13). Did David prosper? No. Wherever he looked he saw his sin.

Before he sinned, David saw God wherever he looked. His heart was pure. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). Your heart affects your eyes; what you love in your heart, your eyes will seek.

God wants truth in our inner being. "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom" (v. 6). David confessed because he wanted to see God again--in nature, in His Word and in the temple.

Do you keep a clean conscience? It is a part of your inner being that responds to God's truth. When you sin, the window of your conscience becomes dirty and filters out truth. Avoid sin in your life and live with a clean conscience. Every day feed yourself truth from the Word of God.

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[nChrist]

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference 1 John 1:7 Psalm 51:7-9

What Do You Hear?

Read Psalm 51:7-9

When we sin, it does terrible damage to our spiritual life. David's sin affected his eyes, but it also affected his ears.

"Make me hear joy and gladness" (v. 8). Keep in mind that David was not only a soldier but also a singer. He would come back from the battlefield, put down his sword and pick up his harp. He played it and sang praises to God. He listened to the choirs in God's house as they sang praises to Him. David's ears were open to the music of heaven--but not in this psalm.

David heard sorrow and sadness. The choir was off-key. Everything he heard was wrong. We, too, have days like that. When we are not right on the inside, nothing is going to be right on the outside. The good news will be bad news, and the bad news will be worse news. No wonder David prays, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (v. 7). He also asks to be purged with hyssop, the little shrub the Jews used to put blood on the doorposts at Passover. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7), if we confess our sins.

If your ears have not been hearing joy and gladness, perhaps the problem is not around you but within you. Perhaps your heart needs to be cleansed. When your heart is tuned to the music of God and the harmony of heaven, then everything around you will remind you of the Lord.

Unconfessed sin leaves you with a dirty heart. When your heart is not right, you don't hear joy and gladness--the music of God. Confess your sin to the Lord, and He will forgive you and restore you.

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