Scripture: Psalms 149 v 1 - 9: "Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. note
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD."
From the early hours of this morning the awe of the Lord has been upon me, when the birdsong chorus awakened me to the high praises of God.
Our God dwells in the praises of His people. He draws near when we worship Him and exalt the King of Kings and Lord of lords. He pours out His Spirit upon the humble seeker after truth and bestows His grace on those who seek mercy.
When we lift up our voices in song to glorify Him He blesses us with His Presence, today it is a brooding presence that fills every part of us. We pour our love and adoration for all that He means to us, every answered prayer, every healing, every sinner saved.
We thank Him for His generous gifts - spiritual, material and every blessing from those who truly care. We praise Him that the Windows of Heaven are open through which His glory comes down upon us.
His magnificence is much brighter than the noonday Sun and the fullest Moon. He is altogether lovely. We sing Shine Jesus Shine fill this land with the Father's glory, and He does so much to make it real to us.
He has made this Earth beautiful to remind us of Heaven, our home. We are citizens of His Kingdom and we have His shine upon our faces. He shines His light through us to draw all who want to be part of His peace, love and joy. So let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory unto Him.
When we have the high praises of God in our mouth we have a powerful two-edged sword in our hand - the Word of God and anointed prayer. The enemy of our souls beats a rapid retreat from those who are standing in the presence of God with such a weapon.
The anointing of the Throne room of God is upon me as I write these words this morning. It is for each one who wishes to partake of it. Come boldly as it says in Hebrews 4 v 14 - 16: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
There is an outpouring of the love of our Father flowing forth today. Receive it from Him and be comforted, be healed, may your broken heart be made whole, may your fervent prayers be heard, may you bow down and worship the most high God with a heart of thanksgiving.
Amen
