Trivia:
New York is the city where the Pastrami on rye bread is the most famous sandwich of all U.S. cities.
For all of you muscle builders, What muscle group is primarily assisted by Arm Curls? Pectorals; Triceps; Biceps; Deltoids. Make your guess.
Challenge:
Psalm 47:1-4 "Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! 2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. 3 He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. 4 He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob's descendants, who He loves."
In this beginning phrase we are reminded of just why we should give every ounce of our being. In clapping, shouting, and joyous praise.
Verse 2a Because He is the most powerful force in all of the universe
Verse 2b He evidences His great power in His reign as the nation Israel's king
Verse 3a He proves this element of power by causing those nations who surround Israel to be placed under their control
Verse 3b The Lord even places these very same nations in a position of obeisance to Israel
Verse 4a God chose the Land of Israel as the Jewish place of eternal ownership
Verse 4b He daily reminds the nations of the earth of Jacob's place of favor and of love to Him
In fact that is the reason for the hatred that Israel suffers even today, for we can either join in praise to God and thanksgiving for His many provisions which have been brought to us through Israel. Or we can out of jealousy pile on hatred on them, when really our anger is on God for bringing His blessing to us through His chosen people. Just look at the many blessings that have been brought onto that part of the world through Israel.
Even in the book of Revelation we are reminded of the great honor that God places on Israel and each of us as believers when the millenium age is presented. To bring His extreme power and honor on all the world. He will rule the earth with His love, care and compassion on all of those living on earth during that time. Even at that time when He has complete control of the earth, Our Lord awards everyone free choice in whether they will make themselves His children of favor or not.
This Psalm reminds me of the song that Becky & I taught the teens at Central Baptist in Anaheim the words to the beginning of this Psalm. It went like this:
Clap your hands all ye people, Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Clap your hands all ye people, Shout unto God with a voice of praise,
Praise Him, Praise Him shout unto God with a voice of praise,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Praise Him. Praise Him, Shout unto God a voice of praise.
We would get on the bus and sing that song as loud as we could. Oh the memories of those past times. We would sing that song in a round one group and then come in with group two, and then group one after completing the words would start again. Group two would end the song by singing together group One & two together, Shout unto God with a voice of praise.
SO GO WITH GOD my chosen ones, for He desires to shower His love on us His people. The amazing thing is that when we reflect on His loving, caring, gracious influences in our life, we naturally yearn to offer Him praise. It's like that round as we sang that song, we would naturally lift our voices of Praise to Him, louder and with greater gusto.
Biceps