Today was a special day at Westney Heights Baptist Church in Ajax ON. It was our
25th Anniversary! Anniversaries are special, these are days of remembrance of the
past, thankfulness for the present, and renewed commitment for the future. The praise
today centered, not on the Pastor's, the congregation, the workers (although they all
have a dedicated heart to serving the Lord and we are thankful for them!), the praise
was directed to the Lord God, the only One whom is truly worthy of our praise!
Approximately 250 times the word "praise" in connection with God is mentioned in
the Bible. I think that He is trying to tell us something! Psalms 145:3 & 4 "Great
is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: and His greatness is unsearchable. One
generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts."
During the course of the service we heard the history of the church. We heard the
declarations of the mighty and great acts of God and His faithfulness. We were told
of the struggles encountered in the early days, the obstacles faced as God expanded
the work, the victories won, the sowing of the Gospel, the reaping of the harvest, and
the sustaining hand of blessing from the Lord on this vibrant work. Yes, God is to
praised! Yet, it made me pause and consider another work of the Lord that needs to
be praised. Psalms 13:5 & 6 "But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall
rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because He hath dealt
bountifully with me."
I am a work of the Lord; you are a work of the Lord! His mercy, grace, love and
faithfulness have been bountifully bestowed upon us; His hand upholds, and His
eye guides, His comfort bathes us, and His power sustains us. We are a work that
will be completed in that happy day when we shall bow at His blessed feet, and meet
Him face to face. Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He (God)
which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
God is working in us, to make us into the image of His dear Son, Jesus Christ! Malachi
3:3b "And purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an
offering in righteousness."
Sometimes it's hard to see that there is something praise-worthy in the midst of
tribulations. Yet, all that God allows is for our good. Our church went through a
building project a few years back, and vandals set fire to the building. God knew what
was happening, it didn't take Him by surprise! He had a plan. Trials in our lives do
not take God by surprise, He knows what is happening, He has a plan! We are being
purged, refined, in order that our offering to God will be righteous and acceptable.
Just as the church can look back and see the hand of God which has guided and
sustained all these years, we can look back on our personal journey through the
wilderness of this old sinful world and see the mighty hand of God which has led us
all the way. We can be confident that the good work that He has begun in us, He will
complete...for His honor and His glory!
Isaiah 48:17 "I am the LORD thy God...which leadeth thee by the way that
thou shouldest go. Psalms 150:2 & 6 "Praise Him for His mighty acts:
praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath
breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB27OjUFZjs
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
Sing O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled and died;
He our rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus Who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
Heav'n-ly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! Over the world victorious,
Power and glory unto the Lord belong;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Fanny J. Crosby
No comments:
Post a Comment