Endless Praise ... 2017

Happy New Year!

I pray your New Year is off to a great start and that you are eagerly anticipating all that 2017 has to offer. With this being the first day of the New Year, it seemed an appropriate time to chart the course before this 2017 journey begins.

Understand this – no matter where your individual road carries you throughout the remainder of this New Year, one thing is certain: Praise will be the fuel to keep you going.

In the book of II Chronicles, an account is provided of a situation where enemy forces stood ready to wage war against the Israelites. Yet, a word of encouragement came to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah:

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” II Chronicles 20:17

What followed was a detailed account of steps taken by Jehoshaphat and the people, in response to this declaration:

^“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.” II Chronicles 20:18

^“Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” II Chronicles 20:19

“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
    for his love endures forever.”

II Chronicles 20:21

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” II Chronicles 20:22

In response to their praise, the LORD waged war on their behalf and secured their victory against their enemies. There was no task left for the people of God but to collect the spoils.

Understand this – Your victory is closer than you think!

It is right at the tip of your tongue.

So let us make a determination today, this first day of 2017, that no matter what the coming days and months hold, we shall praise the One who stands alone as worthy of praise.

Praying you have a blessed day and an exciting year full of realized expectations and sudden surprises!

Here is a beautiful song I stumbled upon this New Year’s Eve. 

It is not new … but it is new to me ... and so fitting for our first communication of 2017.

Hillsong UNITED – Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)

Be Blessed … and … Happy New Year!

“Through Jesus, therefore,

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—

The fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

Hebrews 13:15