WHEN FAITHFULNESS BARES IT\'S THROAT!

Scripture:  Psalm 33:1, 3, 12 - "Rejoice in the Lord, O' ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright...  Sing unto the Lord, a new song: with a loud noise, play skillfully...
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance."

Psalm 96:1, 2 - "Sing unto the Lord a new song: Sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day."

Psalm 98:1 - "O' sing unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory."


"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching  and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and  spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Colossians 3:16

"Likewise, I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
Luke 15:10

The reality of praise, a very reasonable reality with one's bible open, appreciates God as present, and as blessor, by which personal, national, terrestrial, and even celestial audience benefits, by which refreshing is raised, salvation is lifted, victory is felt and utter joy is experienced.  The redeemed heart births through the yielded throat a new song, for until that day of days brings unending day, we have upon us, morning by morning new mercies, and an overarching grace experience which is gloriously sufficient!

When we slip, as we are wont to do, we all will need that 'Job 32' moment on our calendar, all having for sure, if not expressed, certainly thought [with or without a 'slap' moment] a need for a savior.

When our own righteousness rises too much, we need an Elihu to talk out, and walk out the sacred...to restore one in the spirit of meekness... restore, because he [Job] began well, but fell.
'There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.' Job 1:1
'...so that, this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.' Job 1:3  
That is to say he had major bling!  And he was inclined to religiously worship, setting about continually with sacrifices presuming sin within the hearts of his seven sons [continually?]. You see they sort of partied a fair bit, the seven of them, with their three sisters...hmmn...but Job was 'perfect and upright', but sinless? He offered up burnt offerings and sanctified them, but as to himself, nada.  But wait...  'Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan
Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?' Job 1:6-8

As this report continues  there is within Job a bit of 'leaven in his loaf', and his friends, being imperfect size him up, and advise him imperfectly, seeing calamity befall Job as the Lord permits Satan to put the whammy on him. Everything is broken, but his pride, the big pride of a wealthy, outgoing, influential, self-assured even religious man who when squeezed, choses to tell God whats up... enter Elihu.
'Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu...against Job...because he justified himself rather than God.' Job 32:2

'Elihu spake moreover and said, 'Thinkest thou this to be right [Job] that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?'' Job 35:1,2

It takes a minute, but Job responds to the wisdom come of Elihu, and then of God, Himself, and in repenting is restored, no doubt to the delight of angels! Elihu, to me remains quite a mysterious character in this journey.
And couldn't we all benefit from such a one as Elihu? [whether we're slapper, or slappee]
He brings the wisdom which worketh praise!

'Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?' Psalm 2:1
The very same reason we did, but... thanks be to God for that 'wonderful change'. Aren't you glad He changed you?

"Wounded for me, wounded for me, wounded for me - He was wounded for me. Gone my transgressions and now I am free, All because Jesus was wounded for me.
Dying for me. Dying for me, Dying for me, He was dying for me. Gone my transgressions and now I am free, All because Jesus was dying for me.
Risen for me, risen for me: Risen for me, He is risen for me. Gone my transgressions and now I am free, All because Jesus is risen for me.
Coming for me, coming for me, Coming for me, He is coming for me. Then with what joy His dear face shall I see,  Oh how I praise Him, He's coming for me."

'Wounded for Me'
by w. g. ovens & g.w. roberts [new national baptist hymnal, no.75]

Prayer:   Let us 'GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE UNTO HIS NAME;' and let us 'WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS.' Psalm 29:2
Yes, 'LET EVERY THING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE YE THE LORD.' Amen! Psalm 150:6

(by Dr. McNeal Brockington)