Who is Worthy of Praise?

Prayer – Lord, You are worthy of praise, worship, and adoration. You are worthy, not just during this Advent and holiday season—but always. Now and forever. 

Songs for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt. We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant. Psalm 123:1-4

 

What if the LORD had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. Praise the LORD, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:1-8

 

Meditate. Contemplate God’s mercy.

 

Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. There are only 76 words in Psalm 123, but three of them are “mercy.” Mercy from the Lord is what we seek…an escape from taunting, scoffing, proud enemies. The psalmist is   looking to the Lord for His mercy…His grace. That unmerited favor that God provides.

 

Psalm 124 encourages me to remember…what if. What if…. What if the Lord had not been on our side? That is pretty important. To have the Lord—and His power—on our side during any battle, whether or it is a physical or spiritual battle, is a real blessing. God always wins. Praise the LORD!  We escape from whatever is that is attacking, intimidating, or entrapping us. God is always with us…He has promised. He will never leave us or forsake those who love Him…and those whom He loves. He is on our side. No “what if…” involved. Be assured and encouraged that God is on your side…He is on my side. He shows us mercy and love. So, fix your thoughts on one thing…things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Who is worthy of praise? God.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! Isaiah 51:5-6

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  4,001 posts

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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