Devotional Songs: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a video of Gary Valenciano, singing the poignant song Lift Up Your Hands … declaring the reality of God’s promises for His grace in the face of the sufferings of this world … and THEN ON TO THIS LINK to hear Clay Crosse singing the message of Psalm 134 (see below) in his song - When I lift My Hands.
Highlight Passage Psalm 134: 1b-2 [NIV] …
1b All you servants of the Lord, … Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
… Written to encourage true servants of God, who so often feel lonely in their service.
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Highlight Context - Psalm 134 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Written for Priests, Pastors, and Ministers who lead small groups or congregations
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Reference Passage #1 - Deuteronomy 31: 1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Moses in his last days, relaying God’s promise of God’s faithfulness to His covenant as His people were about to enter the Promised Land.
Reference Passage #2 - Lamentations 3: 22-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...
… God’s mercies don’t dissipate just because things get lonely or tough.
Reference Passage #3 - Matthew 11: 28-30 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Jesus, Himself, promised to help us when the burdens seem too great
Reference Passage #4 - 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 [NKJV] …
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
… In the face of challenges, remember God’s enabling grace is mine.
Reference Passage #5- 1st Peter 5: 7 [NKJV] …
7 Casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you.
… Could God’s promise of care be any clearer?
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread author, David Roper, took his readers (me) to a Psalm of encouragement - Psalm 134 which was apparently written to encourage servants of God, who so often get down and discouraged, even lonely, in their day-by-day-by-day service of God, … especially when they are oppressed and in strife from the world or Satan.
Roper writes, … “ I think of … servants of the Lord today — pastors and their families who serve in small churches in small places. They’re often discouraged, tempted to lose heart, doing their best, serving unnoticed and unrewarded. They wonder if anyone cares what they’re doing; if anyone ever thinks of them, prays for them, or considers them a part of their lives. … I would say to them — and to anyone who is feeling lonely or insignificant: … Though your place is small, it is a holy place. The one who made and moves heaven and earth is at work in and through you. “Lift up your hands” and praise Him. "
Oh, … how I needed these words today. Perhaps you do too. Leading a ministry where battles of spiritual warfare are encountered daily, discouragement, especially when physical illness is being encountered as well, can creep in and Satan does all he can to wear us down, doesn’t he? … But if we can believe and do as encouraged in the songs and highlight scriptures shared above, we will be energized by our believe in and praise to the God, Who will never leave, nor forsake, us … the God who cares so deeply for us … the God who has promised to help us carry our burdens with His empowering grace, we will be encouraged, empowered, and uplifted.
My Prayer Today: Oh Lord, … I have been lifted up today by Your word, Your promises, and Your truth. And I lift my hands in praise to You, dear Lord. Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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