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Praise Forward, 09NOV

I’m taking a day for myself and the Lord today…

This is a nice praise from Hannah – old testament – 1 Samuel 1:4-20…  she prayed for a son, then how she kept her promise to the Lord that she would educate and dedicate him to the Lord…

I personally appreciate God has answered my prayers for so many things short term and long term… mostly my prayers were for discernment and peace… the path to peace needs action – the Lord has been faithful and given me guidance. Praying for discernment requires listening… my prayers for discernment continue – we always will need discernment…

And prayers for peace require action too… personally I can add action to repay Him… but scripture tells me that God wants it back only by us “paying it forward”, not back.  That makes sense… Jesus reminded us to look forward when you serve the Lord (“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62)

… and God says let His Word do the work He intends it to do: (So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11)

Hannah prayed for a child, was gifted Samuel. She named him “because I prayed for him” – then, as she promised, she dedicated herself and him to the Lord….

Hannah’s praises are for her deliverance!

I am thankful too – for my heart rejoices in the Lord too!!!

I pray it forward that others also pray it forward…

Amen

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“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

————–

Isaiah 55 also praises that God’s word goes forward…

8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 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.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”