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Good morning my “Walking with Jesus” friends… I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that today is “Black Friday”!
Isn’t it interesting that the day on which Jesus was crucified is called ‘Good Friday’ and the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday”?
Perhaps you know the term “Black Friday” refers to the business potential of this day. That so many people will spend so much money, buying so many things on this one day, that many businesses anticipate this day will move their bottom line into profitability.
Some also suggest… to get the best deals on this day you need to be in line while it is still dark outside, well before the stores open. Others say it’s because the roads, and the parking lots, and the aisles in the stores will be so jammed, that it’s a nightmare.
Finally, some say the term is because the wonder of an entire day dedicated to THANKFULNESS is behind us, and today the darkness of our broken world returns to dominate minds, hearts, relationships and even deep in the souls of mankind.
I wonder what this day means to you my friends? May I invite us to God’s Word, and seek God’s perspective on this day? Psalm 149 is only 9 verses long, and is the fourth in the “Hallelu Yah” Psalms.
“Praise the LORD.
Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.” (Ps. 149:1)
This opening verse calls us to recognize that the glorious THANKSGIVING of yesterday should overflow into today! As you reflected yesterday on God’s LOVE & FAITHFULNESS, as you hopefully spend extended time THANKING GOD… hopefully the joy you experienced now propels you into this day!
Awaken and face this new day with a NEW song of praise to our great God! If possible, find some time to connect with others who are doing the same… where-ever this day takes you. As God’s people are scattered out by the Holy Spirit, into the busyness of this Black Friday, let us bring the joy of Jesus with us, and watch how that will impact the chaos and frenzy of this day, where-ever you go.
The Psalmist, of course, focuses verse 2 on God’s people Israel, but I think it’s very appropriate to expand it to include you and me, and all God’s people in every nation, all rejoicing in our Maker and glad in our KING!
Oh I love verse 4&5: “For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.”
May I ask what you think about God being DELIGHTED with you and me and all His people? What in our lives, do you suppose brings joy to God? Hey, let’s start a list… I think our worship, our praise, and our prayer all bring Him delight! I think our delight in HIM brings Him delight (Ps. 37:4).
I think rejection of temptation and sin in our lives, (1 Cor. 10:13) brings Him delight. When we bring the joy of Jesus, the light of God’s truth, the power of the Gospel into the darkness of our world… I think God rejoices!
When we love each other as Jesus loved us (John 13:34), when we are kind and compassionate and forgive others as God forgives us in Christ (Eph. 4:32), I know God is delighted. When we listen to His leading and teaching us through His Word, God is delighted (Ps. 119:105).
What about this reference to singing for joy on our beds (Ps. 149:5)? Have you discovered the peace that worship songs can bring to your soul as you lay down for the night, or as you awaken in the morning, but just lay there in bed and pray and sing before you rise to face a new day? Try it my friends… it’s really powerful!
Now verse 6-9 almost sounds like we turn a corner, pick up our weapons and head off to war, doesn’t it? May I invite you to consider these verses from the perspective of Ephesians 6:10-18? I invite you to read those verses right now and then read again Psalm 149:6-9.
Do you remember those days we spent together looking at the “Armor of God” and the spiritual warfare God’s people face in our world as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18? Notice please how this ‘warfare’ section begins with PRAISE… “May the praise of God be in their mouths…” My friends we can never under-estimate the power of PRAISE to God, in the face of evil. The dark kingdom HATES when people praise God! The demons flee from anyplace where worship & praise is taking place!
And the closing line is so powerful isn’t it? “This is the glory of all His saints.” You and I, God’s people, ‘saints’, as Paul calls us, are never more ‘glorious’ then when we are victorious in our rejection and defeat of evil in our lives and our world. That defeat is never in our own strength or wisdom, it is ALWAYS in the resurrection power of Jesus, the Holiness of the Holy Spirit, in victory over evil, wickedness, sin, and Satan!
So on this “Black Friday”, my friends… let’s pour out great Praise to our God, and let’s live victoriously over anything we come in contact with, which is of the darkness!
“Praise the LORD”!
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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