Worship and Praise Archive
2009
by Max Frazier

From the November 2009 Philogian:

What is Thanksgiving?
When the New England colonies were first planted, the settlers endured many difficulties and hardships.  But, being Christians, they laid all their difficulties and hardships at the feet of Jesus.  However, their minds kept focusing on all their trials, much like we are tempted to do today.  As a result they experienced great periods of doubt and depression.  Some even wanted to return to England.

One day, when the colonists met to ponder their trials and difficulties, one brave colonist rose to his feet and said that it was time that the people began to consider their blessings.  The colony was growing stronger each day; the harvest had been better than anticipated; the weak were made stronger and sickness was not as bad; and they all enjoyed full religious freedom.  This man proposed that instead of a day of mourning over their difficulties and hardships, that a day of thanksgiving be set aside for praise to God.

Today it would be very easy for us to sit around and complain about all the troubles that beset us: high unemployment, rising taxes, home foreclosures and declining home values, economic unrest, and political uncertainty.  Perhaps it is time that we heeded the words of that solitary brave early colonist and take time to rejoice and to praise God for what He has done.  Let’s briefly share three words that define what that thanksgiving should look like.

Contentment: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12)

I remember reading the story one time of a man who regularly began his meal with a blessing, thanking God for His bountiful provision.  Then, he would often begin to mumble and complain about the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat and the way it was cooked.  One day his little daughter interrupted him and said, “Father, do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago?”  “Certainly,” he replied confidently.  “And did He hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?”  “Of course”, he replied, but not as confidently.  “Then, Father, which one did God believe?”

It seems that we are people who clamor for more.  And so we aggressive pursue the more.  Jesus shared a story with His disciples about a farmer who had become very wealthy.  But his abundance drove him for more.  Finally, just as he reached the pinnacle of his pursuits, God demanded of him his life.  And when that time of accounting arrived, the farmer had nothing.  See the story in Luke 12:16-21. 

This Thanksgiving Season I need to practice contentment with what God has given to me. 

Confidence: I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
The Apostle Paul was confident that God was the source of his strength.  One day the disciples asked Jesus this question: Who then can be saved?  Jesus replied: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:25-26).  David killed the giant Goliath because God was with him.  Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal because God was with him.  Daniel was kept safe from the lions because God was with him.  Joseph could persevere in Egypt’s prisons because God was with him.  Joshua could conquer Jericho because God was with him.  And you can face that difficulty in your life today because God is with you.  Yes, you can do anything and everything because Jesus Christ is with you to give you strength.

The Apostle Paul was also confident that God was the source of his supply.  And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).  You and I have absolutely nothing but what has come from the hand of God.  That Thanksgiving meal you will enjoy is a gift from God.  That log you will put upon the fireplace hearth is a gift from God.  Those family members who will enjoy that fire and that meal with you are a gift from God. 

I remember reading a story about Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women.  She and her parents were Christians and love the Lord.  One cold winter day a poor, sick child came to beg for fire wood from them as his father was out getting drunk and his mother was dead.  At first, Mrs. Alcott hesitated as the weather was very cold and they could get no fire wood chopped again until Monday as they would not work on Sunday.  Mr. Alcott told them to give the child half of the fire wood and to trust God.  “Either the weather will moderate or God will send us the wood,” was his reply.  Soon another knock came to the door and it was a wood-hauler whose sled had broken down while on his way to Boston.  Because of the weather he was returning home and wanted to know if the family would like to have his sled of wood.  One of Louisa May’s favorite sayings was this: “Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days it will come back to you…buttered.”

Continuous Gratitude: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God – Philippians 4:6.

Do we always thank God for everything?  Or do we find it easier at times to harbor resentment against God because of what He has either not given us or the way He has treated us?  Can we thank God for every circumstance that we face?  The Bible admonishes us to always be praising God through thanksgiving.  I have found that it is often helpful just to write down a list of items for which to give God thanks. 

Allow me to share a poem I first discovered in 1974.  It was written by Roy Wilkins and is titled “Always Thankful.”

It’s easy to be thankful with a bounteous table spread,
But could I offer sincere thanks for just a crust of bread?
It’s easy to be thankful when I’m feeling well and strong,
But what about the pain-wracked hours when times seems oh so long?
It’s no effort to be thankful when the sun shines all the day,
But how about the other times when skies are gloomy gray?
It’s no effort to be thankful when all things are gong good,
But how about the times when things don’t go the way they should?
When friends misunderstand me and so freely criticize?
When someone I most dearly loved quite suddenly dies?
When bills keep piling up on me until they’re mountain-high?
When I can’t seem to get ahead – no matter how I try?
“In everything give thanks,” I read; and this I know is right;
The sacrifice of praise to God I know is His delight;
So help me, Lord, to do the thing I know that pleases Thee:
Count my rich blessings every day and always thankful be!

 

From the August 2009 Philogian:

Lessons Learned from a Deck
It was one of those beautiful mornings.  The sun was gaining strength as it ascended on its journey across the heavens.  As I sat eating my morning bowl of Cheerios my eyes caught sight of the brilliant gold and black of a goldfinch sitting on the railing of our deck.  He dazzled under that bright morning sun.  Suddenly he lifted his head and began singing that melodic tune.  I could not help but wonder if that goldfinch was not indeed praising the Lord for a beautiful morning.  As I rose to go to the opened deck door, I startled him and he flew off.  But the tune lingered in my mind for some time.  And I wondered to myself if my time of praise with God earlier that morning had been as pleasing to Him as was that song from the finch.  That finch just celebrated God spontaneously.  Who knows why, there on the railing of our deck, he decided to sing his song.  Oh to just praise God spontaneously, whether sitting on the deck or riding amidst the traffic or just even writing an article for the Philogian.  I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist: Praise the LORD.  How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him (Psalm 147:1). 

Having finished my bowl of Cheerios, I walked out on the deck to drink in the beauty of the lilacs whose purple hues and fragrant aroma graced the fence line.  The breeze wafted that aroma around the deck.  And, as my wife would tell you, there is probably no sweeter aroma than that of a lilac.  I was reminded of those words from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian believers: For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).  The fragrance of the lilacs my wife welcomes into our home.  But, in my garden I also have some Shasta daisies.  I love their bright pure white petals and that golden center, but there is no fragrance about them.  Instead there is an almost nauseous odor.  So, as beautiful as they are, they are not invited into our home to grace our dining room table.  That morning I was given cause to reflect: Do I communicate a fragrance, like the lilacs, or an odor, like the daisies, to those around me? 

Later, in the evening, I was again sitting on the deck getting caught up in some reading.  My attention was drawn to a robin who had found a worm.  How that robin worked to get that worm freed from its earthen fortress.  I must say that persistence was the operative word for both the robin and the worm.  First the robin would pull with all his might and I wondered if the worm would break into two.  Then the robin would release the worm and I could only imagine the worm trying to hasten back into its haven of safety.  Then the contest would be renewed.  Finally, after minutes, the robin was successful.  And, as they say, “to the victor goes the spoils;” in this case, the robin got the worm.  After devouring the worm – and that was an interesting sight as well – the robin let out a song.  Now I am not sure if it was a song of conquest – “Hey, I just conquered that worm!”; or if it was a song of gratitude to God for His provisions – “Thank you, God, for that delicious meal!”  (I can only assume that a worm makes a delicious meal to a robin).    I would like to think it was the latter.  For the next few moments I wondered if I was always as grateful to God for what He provided as was that robin.  I am afraid that too many times I forget to thank Him. 

Friends, it was quite a day.  I think it would have been a day that Jesus would have enjoyed.  I think it would have been a day that Jesus would have used to help point His followers to eternal truths.  A goldfinch, a lilac, and a robin…each shared an important truth that I needed reminded of.  What are you noticing in the world around you?  God wants to grab your attention.  Perhaps it is time we all start paying more attention. 

From the May 2009 Philogian:

While traveling in Israel on our recent Village Schools tour, our guide, Amnon Wallenstein, shared with our group the Psalm of the day.  I had not been aware that there was one particular Psalm associated with each of the seven days of the week.  He reminded us that every morning the Levitical choir would gather upon the steps of the Temple and sing that Psalm appropriate for that day.  And so, as our bus would depart from the front of our hotel, Amnon would read from the Psalms.  The following is a list of the Psalms for each day:
            Sunday – Psalm 24
            Monday – Psalm 48
            Tuesday – Psalm 82
            Wednesday – Psalm 94
            Thursday – Psalm 81
            Friday – Psalm 93
            Saturday – Psalm 92

I was especially intrigued with the Psalm for Sunday.  Interestingly enough, of the seven psalms selected, this is the only one written by David.  This is a Psalm of celebration of God.  It is the final psalm in a three-part collection: Psalms 22, 23, and 24.  Bible scholars have identified these three Psalms this way: Psalm 22 – the Psalm of the Cross (or what Christ has done for us in the past with His death upon the cross); Psalm 23 – the Psalm of the Crook (or what Christ is presently doing for us as our Good Shepherd); and Psalm 24 – the Psalm of the Crown (or what Christ’s future work is – the King of glory).

Let’s look for a few moments at this outstanding Psalm read to begin the week.  It begins with the declaration that the world belongs to God because He was its Creator.  The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters (verses 1-2).  It is good to be reminded that we are a special people who live upon a very special place prepared for us by a very special God.  We are not here by accident or chance, but by the deliberate design of the Creator.

Second, David asks a most thought-provoking question: Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?  Who may stand in his holy place? (verse 3).  In other words, how can the created approach the Creator?  As one begins another week, it is good to ask the question: How can I serve God this week?  And the response of the psalmist is very interesting.  The privilege of approaching God is not focused so much on the actions of what we do as upon the attitudes of who we are.  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. … Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob (verses 4, 6).  As the week begins I need to do some soul-searching.  What is my motive for serving Christ this week?  What is my attitude toward what God is doing in my life and in my world?  Do I serve with clean hands and a pure heart, in other words, with no hidden agendas or personal motivations?  Am I free to serve God as He desires, not as I desire?

Finally, David triumphantly declares who is this one we are called upon to serve: Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is he, this King of glory?  The LORD Almighty – he is the King of glory (verses 7-10).  We have the privilege of serving the King of glory – the LORD Almighty! 

I believe this Psalm for Sunday is a powerful one.  Perhaps it is one that we need to read personally every Sunday.  And, if we would take its message to heart, then perhaps our attitudes and resultant actions during the week would reflect our love for Christ more effectively.

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