Journey to see God: See God as we praise His greatness

How do we sing praise to God and praise His holy name? Here is a real life example. David's song of praise is full of God and totally God-focused. He was described as a man after God's heart. He certainly knew God.

David’s Song of Praise (from 1 Chronicles 16)

⁷ On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord:

⁸ 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.

¹⁰ Exult in His holy name;
    rejoice, you who worship the Lord.

 

¹¹ Search for the Lord and for His strength;
    continually seek Him.

 

¹² Remember the wonders he has performed,
    his miracles, and the rulings he has given, ¹³ you children of His servant Israel,
    you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones.

 

¹⁴ He is the Lord our God.
    His justice is seen throughout the land.

¹⁵ Remember His covenant forever—
    the commitment He made to a thousand generations.
¹⁶ This is the covenant He made with Abraham
    and the oath He swore to Isaac.
¹⁷ He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
    and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant:
¹⁸ “I will give you the land of Canaan
    as your special possession.”

¹⁹ He said this when you were few in number,
    a tiny group of strangers in Canaan.
²⁰ They wandered from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
²¹ Yet He did not let anyone oppress them.
    He warned kings on their behalf:
²² “Do not touch My chosen people,
    and do not hurt My prophets.”

 

²³ Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
    Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.

 

²⁴ Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

 

²⁵ Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.

 

²⁶ The gods of other nations are mere idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens!

²⁷ Honor and majesty surround Him;
    strength and joy fill His dwelling.

 

²⁸ O nations of the world, recognize the Lord,
    recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.

 

²⁹ Give to the Lord the glory He deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into His presence.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor.

³⁰     Let all the earth tremble before him.
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

³¹ Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
    Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”³² Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
    Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
³³ Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.

 

³⁴ Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.
³⁵ Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation!
    Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank Your holy name
    and rejoice and praise You.”

³⁶ Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who lives from everlasting to everlasting!

 

And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

 

Psalm 91: positive voice amidst confusion and fear

 This psalm speaks of four positions. I have divided the verses according to these positions with my notes in brackets. This is for today and all the days when you see the descriptions of this psalm around you. You will not be afraid when you know what happens in the spiritual realm and that our God has made a provision for such days for His people, those who are called by His name.

The four positions are: God; the psalmist witness; you and I (those who have believed in Jesus and are now in God's Kingdom); the wicked (those who are still outside God's Kingdom) in God's eyes. 

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Psalm 91

New King James Version (NKJV)

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

(the witness speaks and testifies of what God shall do for His own children in His Kingdom)

91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

(God has a place called 'secret place' under His protection. He wants you to live in that place. Where is it? It is right under His shadow, in His presence.)
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

(We have absolute security there. But we need to say to ourselves, and proclaim this truth. This spoken word shall be our shield and buckler, the armor that we must put on at all times.)

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³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

(The dangers are real. But God is real and can be trusted. Surely He shall do as He has said. These words of deliverance from actual trap and potential harm are real. God has spoken through the psalmist witness, who knows God and has experienced God. God will do just as He has promised. How shall we receive the protection?  By believing in and proclaiming His words, which are truth. The truth will set us free from any dangerous situations we may be in.)

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⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

(The threats and attacks are real. They can come in any forms, intensities, impacts, times. They cause massive destruction, fears and even death. But our position in Christ is secure. We can even witness the physical damages to people around us.) 

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⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

(How do we receive such supernatural protection? The psalmist witness spoke again. Only one condition is needed; that we make God our dwelling place. In God's presence, no evil spiritual forces or the use of any forms of physical attacks can come near our location, because we live and position ourselves before God in Christ. Our daily movements will be guarded by God's mighty angels, spiritual guards. We have our protection in the spiritual realm. Who are the enemies? a 'stone', something to stumble us and make us fall. 'Serpents and lions'. Spiritual beings. 

 There are two scenario here: when we rest, we are safe in God's presence. When we need to move and carry out our assignments in life, mighty angels will assist us in the spiritual realm.)

 _______________________

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

(God has spoken here. He tells us why He is pleased to deliver and even honor us. he expects us to love Him and know His name, having a close relationship with Him. He has assured again He is pleased to give long life and salvation to us.)

___________In conclusion:

Psalm 92:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

Praise to the Lord for His Love and Faithfulness

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day.

92 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
² To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night...

Journey to see God: see the Father in heaven as spoken by Jesus

Study on our heavenly 'Father' in the words spoken by Jesus, the Son of God

1. Matthew 5:16
   In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
   Matthew 5:15-17 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Matthew 5:45
   so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
   Matthew 5:44-46 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Matthew 5:48
   You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
   Matthew 5:47-48 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Matthew 6:4
   so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:3-5 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Matthew 6:6
   But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:5-7 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Matthew 6:8
   Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
   Matthew 6:7-9 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Matthew 6:9
   Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
   Matthew 6:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Matthew 6:14
   For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
   Matthew 6:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Matthew 6:18
   that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
   Matthew 6:17-19 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Matthew 6:26
    Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
    Matthew 6:25-27 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Matthew 6:32
    For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
    Matthew 6:31-33 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Matthew 7:11
    If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
    Matthew 7:10-12 (in Context) Matthew 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. Matthew 10:20
    For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
    Matthew 10:19-21 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Matthew 10:29
    Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
    Matthew 10:28-30 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. Matthew 23:9
    And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
    Matthew 23:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. Matthew 26:42
    Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
    Matthew 26:41-43 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. Luke 6:36
    Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
    Luke 6:35-37 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. Luke 10:21
    [ Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will ] In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will.
    Luke 10:20-22 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. Luke 11:2
    And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
    Luke 11:1-3 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. Luke 11:13
    If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
    Luke 11:12-14 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Luke 23:46
    Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
    Luke 23:45-47 (in Context) Luke 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. John 5:45
    Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
    John 5:44-46 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
23. John 8:19
    They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know My Father also.”
    John 8:18-20 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
24. John 8:38
    I speak of what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    John 8:37-39 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
25. John 8:42
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
    John 8:41-43 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
26. John 12:28
    Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
    John 12:27-29 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
27. John 14:26
    But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
    John 14:25-27 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
28. John 15:16
    You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
    John 15:15-17 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
29. John 16:26
    In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
    John 16:25-27 (in Context) John 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
30. John 17:11
    And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
    John 17:10-12 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
    
     

Journey to see God: See the riches of His goodness

Romans 2

New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Righteous Judgment

2 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

¹² For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law ¹³ (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; ¹⁴ for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,¹⁵ who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) ¹⁶ in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

The Jews Guilty as the Gentiles

¹⁷ Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, ¹⁸ and knowHis will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, ¹⁹ and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.²¹ You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? ²² You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? ²⁴ For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Circumcision of No Avail

²⁵ For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?²⁷ And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with yourwritten code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is oneoutwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is oneinwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.