Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 9 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. 1Chronicles 16:8-9David's company had just delivered the Ark of Covenant to it's new home, and David sought to give thanks to the Lord. He commissions the Levites to lead in praise to the most High God, and he himself writes a song of praise which is a portion of the verses included above. He encourages those in the gathering to do 5 things, in which I want to use as the body of this blog.
First, he says GIVE THANKS
I don't know about you, but I'm extremely thankful. During a time of the year where many of us are forced to remember that this year there are people we said goodbye to for one reason or another. That, GIVING THANKS, can be extremely difficult if we focus on the empty chair for too long, and forget to GIVE THANKS to all those we still have to THANK GOD FOR. Those others could be other family members, a church family, friends, etc. I pray you took time to remember those that you celebrated without, as well as gave thanks for those you got to celebrate with. (If you had nobody to celebrate with....let me know, there's a gathering this Saturday where you'd be welcomed.)
Second David says PROCLAIM HIS GREATNESS. To some you may read this as EXALTING HIM, lifting GOD's NAME UP above any/everything. You wanna know how GREAT GOD IS, today I was amongst people who had no family and no food, that we served them both, and the fellowship of the SAINTS. GOD is GREAT because HIS SPIRIT was alive today in the young and old, rich and poor, multiple cultures all sitting together sharing a meal in LOVE. ONLY GOD could make (hundreds of) strangers family, if only for a meal, or moment.
Next David says LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE. This is critical as when we don't we can lose a generation as the Joshua generation had because they didn't tell others about what GOD done (Judges 2). For me....where do I start? I'm thankful to be able to appreciate my past, so that I can be thankful about my present, and exuberantly joyful about my future. I look at my life and I owe it all to Him. Who I'm married to, my kids, where we live, where I've worked, and am currently serving.....only GOD could've made these things happen. I know Ruth was born for such a time....but I can see why I was born when I was, to whom I was born to, because as I walk into CONNECTIONS His purposes are constantly being revealed in me and to me. Every SUNDAY is a testimony of HIS GREATNESS!
Then David says SING TO HIM; YES SING TO HIS PRAISES. As you all know my life is a constant soundtrack and to attempt to sum up my thankfulness in one song is impossible...so here are a few you can check out if you feel the need to THANK YOU, LORD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7ZBgvNY17E) MORE and MORE ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obNMcrBQp-4) WE GIVE YOU GLORY ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgztmZwp6j8) really feeling this one right now... I invite you to answer the question what SONG does your LIFE SING, not one that you sing with your lips, but the song your life, your heart rhythms to?
To finish it David reminds them again, TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS. Today alone, GOD has fed the hungry. He has clothed those in need of clothing. He has provided a table prepared in love for those without a family. He used a dilapidated school building that is fit for the wrecking ball, to wreck people's hearts for those considered the meek, the weak, and the least and brought all of us down to lift up JESUS through servitude. He blessed me with wonderful mentors, friends, church family, extended family, biological family members to enjoy this day with, and as this day prepares to come to a close....I'll fall asleep giving Him thanks for the comforts of a home that His Spirit dwells in.
If you found this day to be lacking.....I hope you consider REACHING out to ME so that I can share with you the JOY and HOPE that lives in me. #LGLP