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November 27, 2012
Day 22
Clap your hands
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Dear Praying Friend,
As we continue to journey together in prayer, it is evident God's hand is always with us. His healing, helping, powerful, disciplining, heavy, open, merciful, protecting, instructing, and encouraging hand is always upon us. Whether we face His hand of blessing, or of burden, our hands should always be lifted up in thanksgiving to the One who stretches out His hand to give us His absolute best. The apostle Paul exhorts us to, "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). He reminds us that the Lord calls us to rejoice in all circumstances - whether it be a "Starving Time", or "Civil War", or the challenges of our current economic, spiritual, and moral crisis; our eyes should remain fixed on the Lord, remembering that 'trust is the antidote for a troubled heart' and 'thanksgiving is the antidote for worry'. "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12). We have much to be thankful for; therefore, let us rejoice and sing praise for the merciful, gracious, forgiving and loving hand of our Lord!
"Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!"
(Psalm 47:1-2)
As we come to the end of our meditation of Psalm 32 (verses 10-11), we find David rejoicing in his own day of thanksgiving and calling the people to join him in extolling praise unto the Lord for his faithfulness. Having just come out of the fire of affliction, David was grateful that the Lord's hand had never left him, and that he had received God's forgiveness and was finally restored to His presence.
"You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy;
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
(Psalm 30:11-12)
Dear Heavenly Father, we give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, for You are good and Your love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this. 'I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High'. Our trust is in You - our help and shield; we commit our ways to following Your path with wholehearted devotion. Your Word says that when the righteous thrive the people rejoice; Lord, help us to remain faithful to Your will and give the people a reason to rejoice! 'Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.' We lift up our hands, offering our praise and submitting our prayers, to Your glorious name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 3:5-6; 9:1-2; 100:5; 107:1-2; 115:1, 9; Proverbs 29:2; Revelation 11:17. |
