An appropriate prayer for all times

READ: 1 Chronicles 15, 16; Proverbs 24; John 20: 1-18

SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 16: 35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

OBSERVATION: David’s song that we see in 1 Chronicle 16: 8-36 resembles the verses of three different Psalms—Ps.96:1-13; 105:1-15; and 106:1, 47,48. David commissioned this song when he brought the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem and appointed the Levites to offer prayers and praise and worship the Lord. However, the three psalms (Ps.96, 105, 106) were written in a later period, after the Israelites returned from their exile. 1 Chr.16: 35,36 is similar to Psalm 106: 47,48. Interestingly, the prayer in 1 Chr.16:35 is closely connected with the three important duties of the Levites. 1 Chr.16:35 invites us to cry out to make this prayer for deliverance, thanksgiving, and praising God. In 1 Chr.16:36, we read that “Then all the people said “Amen” and ‘Praise the Lord.’” On the other hand, in Psalm 106, the psalmist invites the people to say “‘Amen!’ Praise the Lord” after he made the prayer. Notice the difference! 

In this prayer, we see a unique prayer phrase, “glory in your praise,” which appears only in these two passages of the Bible. This song reminds us of three things: no matter what time we may live, God is our savior; he gathers and delivers us; we should offer thanks to his holy name and glory in praising him. This prayer is very much relevant to our present situation. The word “nations” in this prayer refers to the enemies of God’s people. We struggle with many invisible enemies that affect our daily life. Apart from God, who else could save, gather, and deliver us? Many sincere Christians are earnestly praying for God’s deliverance from the ravaging issues of our times. All we need to say is, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.” 

APPLICATION: My God is the Savior who is interested in the physical and spiritual well-being of every person. When I pray to him, he answers and delivers me. The name of the Lord is a strong tower that protects me. I praise and thank my God; he hears my prayers. I glory in praising him. My God is the king of glory. The God of Israel is the God of all people. So, I say, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for being my savior. Lord, you are my rock of refuge, to which I can always come. Thank you for your grace to experience and taste your salvation and love in my life. "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting." Amen.

 - Arputharaj Samuel +91 9538328573

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