Psalm 134:1-3
A Song of degrees
“Behold, bless ye the
LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless
the LORD.” (Psalm 134:1-2)
As used here, to bless means to praise or glorify. The Psalmist was blessing God for what he
had done, but we Christians have even more to be thankful for. Ephesians 1:3-8 describes some of the things
he has done for us. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According
as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved. In whom we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”
God has given thing to assure eternal life with him in
heaven, making us acceptable to him.
Titus 3:5 emphasizes, this was his decision, not ours. “Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” I Peter 1:3-5 makes it clear, he not only
saved us, but that he also keeps us saved.
“Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved
in heaven for you, Who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last
time.
In addition, he works in our daily life on earth. II Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth
us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Because he has done so much for us, Hebrews 13:15 commands, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice
of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to
his name.” Sometimes bad things
happen but Romans 8: Ro 8:28 reminds us, “And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose.”
Knowing that even the bad things have a good purpose, I Thessalonians 5:18
instructs, “In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
“The LORD that made
heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.” (Psalm 134:3)
In addition to the blessing of salvation and eternal life,
God blesses us for living for him in this life.
I Timothy 4:8 tells us, “…godliness
is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of
that which is to come.” James 1:25
tells us what is required to be godly. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of
the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Revelation 1:3 emphasizes the need to
follow his commands now. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that
hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written
therein: for the time is at hand.”
In our world we face many temptations to turn away from
God. James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the
Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Frequently that decision to follow God costs us economically or
emotionally. Matthew 5:10-12 promises, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.”
Our faithfulness in trials and temptations demonstrates or
right to receive God’s rewards, according to II Thessalonians 1:4-5. “So that we ourselves glory in you in the
churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and
tribulations that ye endure: Which is a
manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy
of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.”
Thank you for persisting in writing truth.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim.
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