The early hour mornings make it hard for people to grasp the importance of worshipping God. The first climb from the bed to placing the feet on the floor where is that glory hallelujah song. The rush to the bathroom and then to the kitchen for the fresh cup of whatever will get your brain working in the morning. For me it is a cola, or water. Then the idea of saying praise the Lord at the early hour seems far from my mind until I sit down in my cozy spot to type up my devotions for each day. The words of praise begin on my lips of thanksgiving for today. Does the word of praise always begin, not always. Yet as a Christian we are called to praise the Lord. The other day I was cooking on the grill and it looked like it was going to pour rain. I was like Lord you can hold this rain off until I get my meal cooked. Then I began to praise God for the opportunity to cook on the grill and for a meal. God said you are praising me in hopes of gettomg this rain to be held off. I thought will in a way that might just be true. Of course God knew my heart intentions. Yet my thoughts are God just wants to be praised for all He does in our life. Recognized for what He does for us. I got dinner in before the rain, Praise the Lord. It was just simple hamburgers on the grill. Yet a meal none the less to praise the Lord for. If you gain nothing from this illustration, hopefully you will understand there are times we just need to take time to praise the Lord for the little things in life. A good morning means simply it is easier to say Praise the Lord, yet even on a bad morning those words should be echoed. Should I have praised the Lord anyway even if the rain had come, of course my garden needs rain, yet my husband would argue the yard does not because of how fast the grass is growing.

Praising God for his plan of creation in the darkness before the world began as the water of the deep flowed around below His Spirit. God’s Spirit hovering over the world before it was even formed. The fire going forth before him destroying his enemies is only a sign of God’s power to take care of the enemy before him. The battle call of God before us as the enemies wave their idols and bow to them thinking they will stand, not knowing even their idols had to bow to God. When people got angry with God because of their disobedience they began to form their own gods and worship their creation made with human hands instead of God of all creation. Who would want to worship a god that is formed with human hands. They might be symbols of worship but some worship idols as if they have power. What makes God of the Bible different then all other gods. He is living God that is from the beginning. He is a God that causes his enemies even to bow and worship Him. He is a God not afraid to stand up against the enemy and destroy them because He has the power to, but He also a merciful God that sends his word forth that anyone that believes will be saved through belief in His Son who is the word of God in the flesh. From Old to New the story still the same belief in the Word/Son of God.

Rehab the harlot believed the story of how Egypt the plagues, and fear of God was upon her. Rehab and her whole house was saved because of the protection she gave the spies. However had she not believed the stories of how God sent the plagues to Egypt she might not of been saved. The difference in how God does something and how man does something, is totally different. God’s army went with impossible odds of winning, man goes with possible odds of winning. When Israel was put in exile it was the will of God. When Israel began to be restored it was God’s will. It might seem a little crazy to believe it that way to the heathens. Yet what they do not understand it the word comes from God of victory to His people, and also defeat. The Spirit of God does not lie to the heart of the believer. For God promises to be with the believer and not to forsake him. God does not leave the believer side, but it does not mean the exile can not come and being placed in places you rather not be. What it means is God is our comfort even when the non believers rise and cause the believer to be exiled because of their sin of unbelief. The prophecy of destruction come for those that do not believe might believe and tremble. Times of victory and rebuilding only testify of the goodness of God, but not his judgment except on the heathen. No one thinks of what it must have been like for Rahab to be in the room with the red cord on the door. The walls of Jericho falling around her. The ark of safety hearing the cries of those she lived with for years being destroyed. She and her family in the ark/room of safety. God’s judgment is real to those that will listen to God’s voice when He speaks, He says not to worship idols and if one does judgment will come. Idolatries only win for a season because God’s people fail to obey Him. Do not be on the losing side. Rejoice in the Lord even when the world around you is in chaos, or seems to be meant for destruction. Live peacefully with all people despite your circumstances. Serve the Lord with thanksgiving in your heart and when God wins give Him all the praise and glory due His name.

Dear Heavenly Father let us rejoice in your salvation and in who you are today. May those praises come forth in thanksgiving for all that you do and are. Remind me when I fail to recognize your work in my life. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: