What have we done?

Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy:

These words from Isaiah 9, apply to our Churches today.  So many Churches, reverential, solemn, ritualistic, formal.  Hymns, music so wordy no one knows what it means.

Isaiah 9
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Lord is come not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved.   He is  Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.   This is cause for joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Please understand, there is a place for Reverential Fear, Solemn Ceremony,

Ritual Order, Quiet Worship. When The Lord makes His presence known, these things certainly occur.  

The problem is we think we need to do these things for His presence to be there.   NO, NO, NO….READ HIS WORD, UNDERSTAND HIS DESIRES.

Psalm 22:3
King James Version (KJV)
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

We Christians are now The Lords Israel,  His people, The Redeemed, Sanctified, Saved.  The Lord inhabitants the praises of His people.

Ezra 3:11
King James Version (KJV)
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

2 Chronicles 20:19
King James Version (KJV)
 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

Jeremiah 31:7
King James Version (KJV)
For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

Here Solomon had just finished building and dedicating The First Tabernacle that was not a tent.  The last part of His prayer of dedication :

“Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.”  2 Chronicles 6

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.

And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Our problem is we pretend His presence in Reverential, Solemn Ceremony. Before we have invited Him into our presence by Praise.

Jeremiah 13:11
King James Version (KJV)
11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

We never really invite the Lord, Praise is the Lords invitation whether in Prayer or Praise  (Hallowed be Thy Name ),   We need to learn to praise, then The joy of the Lord will be our strength, our Churches would be joyful, expecting and experiencing  the Lords presence and power.

Sing His Words to Him,  when the people sinned,  Moses reminded the Lord of His Word. Remind Him, try Him, memorize, internalize, meditate, sing, pray His promises.   Intreat Him, love Him….obey Him.

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