you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.—1 Peter 2:9-10
Borrowed from Exodus 19:6, Peter reminds the church that like Israel we are to point others to God. What we say and what we do should reveal His goodness, power and grace to the people around us. We are, like Israel, His own special people…a people set apart unto Him. A people who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.—Isaiah 9:2
We are to proclaim His praises. Our lives, are to be songs of thanksgiving and sacrifices of praise that honor the One that delivered us from the power of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.
Now, I have no problem proclaiming His praises on a sunny day, but do I sing songs in the night when my circumstances are dark? God’s word commands us to praise. Our whole purpose here on this earth is to glorify our God. Happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."—Psalm 50:23
Beloved…Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Declare Jesus to the world around you. Make the footsteps of Jesus your pathway as you walk through this world being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.—John 1:17-18
Reveal the Father to those whom God has placed in your path.
"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."—John 14:7
Father…Your holiness and Your great mercy surrounds me. May Your Spirit make my life a beautiful song of praise to You. You are good and do good. You command Your lovingkindness in the morning and at night Your song is with me. Give me a thankful heart. I don’t want to walk and speak according to the state of my emotions. I want to walk in full surrender to Your Spirit in accordance with the commands and promises in Your word. You who did not spare Your own precious Son deserve my heart, my soul, my life and my all.
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.—Psalm 60:1-2
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.—Psalm 100
21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.—Psalm 107:21-22
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You;
I will give thanks and praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.—Psalm 54:6
I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving.—Psalm 69:30
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.—Ephesians 5:20
