Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Hallelujah. There are two bookends to the Psalm that are translated here as Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD is a translation of a single Hebrew word. The Hebrew word is where we get the word “Hallelujah” Hallelujah is not an English word. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew word. If you could read Hebrew and you sounded out the letters in Hebrew and spoke the Hebrew word it would be Hallelujah. The idea behind the single Hebrew word is more than just say nice things about God. The thought we find in this single word is that we should Praise Yahweh, the personal involved, responding, faithful, compassionate, and just God. Praise at the beginning and the end and throughout this chapter. Praise Him now. Find time to praise Him the next time you pray and the next and the next. Make praise a habit.
Scripture Reading
Haggai 2:20-23 – English Standard Version
Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet
20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Give thanks to God for His gifts and His goodness.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Hopes Gate. Ask God to help them be effective in sharing the hope and love of Christ.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
In light of Jesus’ sovereign and exclusive reign over the universe, every one of us has a decision to make: either we will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the rightful Savior and King of the Universe, deserving of all worship, glory, and praise or we will search in vain for something or someone else to fill that role: money, modern technology, modern medicine, a celebrity pastor, a politician, a country, a set of doctrines, etc. While these things might have a place in the Christian life, that place is not the throne. The throne must be reserved for the Lord Jesus Christ; all other people and things must be brought into His service. He will not be satisfied until He sits on the throne of your heart, and neither will you, because no other person and no other thing is qualified for that job.
Are there any unworthy competitors vying for the throne of your life today, grabbing for Jesus’ scepter? If so, confess that to Him. Confess to a trusted friend if needed. Turn from those unworthy competitors and make a clear way for Jesus to ascend the throne of your heart.
Humble yourself. Submit to the King. Worship Him.