Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Psalm 8:1-2

Psalm 8:1-2 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. (2) Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. (KJV)

(NIV)O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. (2) From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Last month many people celebrated Halloween and used the opportunity to dress up and take their children door to door to collect candy treats. However, for some people, it was a very dark time in which Satan delighted. This month we celebrate Thanksgiving. You may wonder – how are these two holidays in any way related? I would like to propose that thankfulness and praising Jesus can take away that awful darkness that Satan would love to have you remain in.

Many years ago, I went to IMPACT at The University of Findlay (although it was not called IMPACT at that time) and heard a speaker by the name of Frances Gardner Hunter. She was famous for praising the Lord in any and all situations – even embarrassing and hurting situations. She stated that one time while she was speaking the platform collapsed, and she lost her wig. She was embarrassed and her pride was a little hurt, but she said she simply stood back up and said, “Well, praise the Lord, anyway!”

Also, about twenty years ago, I had a very frightening experience. My son, Paul and I had just gotten in our van and started up the street. I heard a popping sound and next thing I knew, the van was on fire. I immediately shut off the engine and got my son out of the van. We were helpless to do anything and all I could think to do was pray the name of Jesus. I just said, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” over and over again. But you know, the name of Jesus was enough. Help came and we were safe. Yes, we had to get another van, but God provided for my son and me and we were safe because of the name of Jesus.

My grandchildren have also reminded me to praise and honor the name of Jesus. Near the end of October we were sitting at the table having dinner and Darren, who is 6 years old, all of a sudden breaks into singing “Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name…” My son, Paul, commented, “This is just like ‘Little House on the Prairie.’” Praise the Lord for happy times like these! Just two weeks ago, we were taking a hike in the woods and right out of the blue, Alexa, my four-year old granddaughter, starts singing the same praise song, “Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name…” How appropriate with seeing all of the beauty that God had created in nature.

You can best believe when all that praise is going up, Satan is no where to be found. As it says in our verses for this week, “…you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Satan detests the name of our Lord. He knows that at the name of Jesus, he is defeated forever. So, if you feel that you are in darkness or that Satan is working on you, kick him right out of your life with praise, thankfulness and especially the name of Jesus! Start offering your praises right now