Pray With Thanksgiving 05.21.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday May 21, 2008 and today we are completing our studies on the book of I Chronicles. Please read Chaptes 27-29 in your Bible or Click Here to read.

Today we will read and learn about Solomon encouraged from his father to build the Temple; David's gifts for the Temple; his thanks and prayer; Solomon ordained as king; and David's death. Today's message focuses on the importance of praying with thanksgiving and praise no matter what difficulties we face.

In his last year, David assembled all the tribal princes and military captains. "And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem." (I Chronicles 28:1).

He then told them how God had chosen Solomon to build His Temple and that their greatest concern should be to be obedient to the Lord, "Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." (28:8-9).

David then offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in the Scriptures, "Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." (29:11-13).

David's heartfelt prayer is a reminder to all of us that prayer should be a time of praising and worshiping God with thanksgiving for who He is, as well as for what He has given us. As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will praise Him for His provision. When we neglect to praise the Lord daily, our worship often becomes a mere ritual. Every day, under every circumstance we are to praise and give thanks to the Lord. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:16-23).

Kneeling, bowing the head, and stretching forth hands are all expressions of worship. David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." (Psalm 134:2).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through the gold offered for the Temple by David from his personal wealth (I Chronicles 29:3-5). Gold is the purest metal as it can be refined to transparency (Rev. 21:21) and represents the preciousness and great worth of Christ.

Today's Psalm: 134:1
"Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. In Jesus name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

God Bless,
Christina

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