Unusual Voices

 

    As an acquaintance recently pointed out, animals in the Bible talked; specifically, a certain donkey. (Numbers 22:28-30). See, also, Genesis 3:1-4). 

    But the animate we might expect to have some kind of voice, wouldn't we? What about what we generally consider to be inanimate? For instance, rocks and stars. Jesus told those who were against His arrival that if the people lining the streets to meet Him had not greeted Him with praise, then surely the rocks would cry out (Luke 19:40). 

    How I long to hear stars sing God's praises, though. I love music, especially music and songs that glorify God. Job 38:7 tells us that "The morning stars sang for glory). David tells us (Psalm 19:1) that the heavens and the skies speak of God's glory. Although Isaiah does not say the stars speak, he reminds us that each has a name and remains aligned where God has placed it. 

    In 1 Chronicles 16 David writes a song of worship and praise and thanksgiving to God which includes all of nature voicing God's praise in verses 31-33.  

    Are our voices unusual to God? Is He hearing the cries of our broken hearts? Is He hearing sincere praise and worship from us. Do not lie: God knows our hearts. He can see right through our pretenses and masks: we might look and act like Christ followers to the world around us, but if our hearts are not right with God, then we are not close enough to Christ to follow in His steps: we are just snakes and wolves in sheep's clothing, only appearing to follow but not really. 

    Who are you to God? Are you His people? Are you seeking His face? Can God hear your voice in the morning when you awaken? in the midday does He know who you are? in the evening before you lay your head and close your eyes? 

    Declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. Lord of your soul when you invite Him into your heart. Lord of your salvation when you confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. Lord of your life when you ask His Holy Spirit to transform you from your old nature of sin into your new nature of holiness. 

    Rise up and worship The Almighty God and Father, Author of our Salvation and Finisher of What He Has Begun. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Give Him Thanks with all our hearts and voices. Let our mouths be opened and let His praise flow freely from our lips! Do not be an unusual voice. Be a voice God recognizes. 

BEFORE THE ROCKS CRY OUT - The Speers 

RISE UP - TribeSong

Intelligent Worship -- Praise God -- Part 7

 There are 12 parts to this series. Praising God is Part 7.

PRAISE GOD

(NLT) Psalm 68:8

Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the LORD, the source of Israel’s life. 

PRAISE: The word 'praise' in this verse is from the Hebrew word 'barak' (pronounced baw-rak'), meaning to kneel down or lie prostrate before, whether one is on bended knee or laying flat in honor to the LORD God. Also, means 'bless'. 

The words 'praise, praising, praised' are used 303 times in the Scriptures. There are seven basic words of praise to know.

1. Barak: to kneel or bow down, to lie prostrate on the ground
2. Halal: to shine clearly, radiate
3. TeHillah: song of praise, a hymn
4. Shabach: to shout triumphantly
5. Towdah: choir of worshipers, sacrifice of praise
6. Yadah: hold out or lift up hands
7. Zamar: to make music, either by hand or musical instrument

I'll give you seven basic Scriptures, each one referencing one of these praise words.

1. Barak: Judges 5:2 "Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves."
2. Halal: Psalm 63:5 "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips."
3. TeHillah: Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise."
4. Shabach: Psalm 63:3 "Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee."
5. Towdah: Jeremiah 33:11 "The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise (yadah) the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD."
6. Yadah: Genesis 29:35 "And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing."
7. Zamar: Psalm 21:13 "Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power." 

Psalm 150 is one of the smaller psalms but worth remembering. The word 'praise' is used three times in the first verse and twice in each of the next five verses. This word 'praise' is the word 'halal', which means to shine. When we enter the presence of the LORD with our praise and worship, we shine because we are so filled with JOY for our GOD that we cannot help but shine! We love to be in His presence! 

Psalm 145:1 "David's Psalm of praise. I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy Name for ever and ever." 

Extol: exalt, lift up

Bless: Barak: kneel or bow down

These are words that are easily committed to memory, especially if you've studied the Word time and again like I have. I'm one of those people that has to know what a word means in order to use it properly. Not only is my concordance close by, but my dictionary is a fingertip away. And the Holy Spirit of God is always with me, leading me and guiding me into the deeper truths of God's Word, revealing a little bit more each day. 

Do you love to be in God's presence? If not, what are you going to do to change that attitude? Now is the time to repent of our sins to God, to ask His forgiveness, to allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts and bring us into God's saving grace through God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ. 

Yes, this message has been preached by many for a couple thousand years. But our timetable is not God's timetable. When He's ready to bring His church, His people, up from the earth, I hope whoever is reading this is included. 

A. Acknowledge that we are sinners

B. Believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, that He died on the cross for our sins, and that He rose from the dead and walked out of the grave

C. Confess out loud that Jesus Christ is Lord

Heavenly Father,

I confess my sins to You. I acknowledge that my way of living has violated Your Word and I ask that You forgive me. I believe that Your Son Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, that He rose from the dead and walked out of the grave. I recognize my need for salvation through the blood of Jesus and that I need Your Holy Spirit to empower me to become the me You see and not the me I am. 

Thank You, Father, for saving me, for forgiving my wicked ways and for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Lead me and guide me in Your Word as I read it daily. Give me understanding as You fill me with Your wisdom. 

In Jesus' Precious and Holy Name, Amen.