Week 6 - Day 2 - Compulsory Praise

Today's Treasure:

"How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears"

2 Samuel 7:22

Today we study David in a depth of worship that we should all strive to experience. When Nathan reported his revelation to David, he was overwhelmed by the goodness of God to answer his question of how to handle the location of the ark. David responded to God with gratitude and praise.

Read 2 Samuel 7: 18 - 29

"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord."

Have you ever responded like David? Have you ever experienced a time when someone told you something you knew was an answer from God, and you wanted to run as fast as you could and sit before Him?

Oh, my!!! I have to share this experience with you that happened just last week. God is showing His grace in so many ways since my diagnosis. Girls (and Kevin), this story will make you want to shout!!! We could probably end today's study with this!!!

I know you remember me sharing about the wonderful prayer time I shared with some of my very dear friends shortly after my diagnosis. One of these friends, Lewis Moore, was the last one to pray over me. At the end of the prayer, he said, "Tiffany, It is finished. Your healing is complete. Now, we just have to wait on the scans to prove it. It is finished." You can only imagine how amazing that was to experience, but it gets better! A few weeks passed and one of the teachers, Mrs. Simmons, at GCS told me about a healing revival that is presently going on in Florida. We both became very excited about it. I went home and researched on the internet and just felt that I had to go to one of these services. So, I asked Mrs. Simmons to fly down with me because I knew she believed with all of her heart. We agreed to pray about it, and we went our separate ways. I prayed about that trip feeling sure that we should go. Yet, the Holy Spirit would not give me a peace about it. I kept sensing, "It is finished, It is finished". So, last week I decided to go talk to Mrs. Simmons about it. I was nervous because I knew she was excited about going. When I went in, I asked her if she had been praying about our trip. She looked at me nervously and said, "you go first". So, I explained to her what the Holy Spirit was doing and I apologized for possibly upsetting her. When I looked up at her, I saw a sense of relief over her entire face. She told me that she didn't know how to come to me, but the Lord was making it clear to her that we did not need to take that trip because my healing was already being done. She said the Lord told her that she was just as capable as praying for my healing as anyone in Florida!!! Isn't that unbelievable? All I could see in that moment was Lewis standing over me claiming healing from our Lord!!! That is enough to make you want to jump up and praise Hi s name!!!

Paraphrase David words in verse 18

Who am I that you would embrace my family and make a heritage for me that will be protected by you?

Can you glance back at your life and say, "Oh, God, we've come so far." Praise Him for how far you have come and entrust the rest of your journey to the One who brought you this far!!!

Read 2 Samuel 7:22 aloud

Now, read 2 Samuel 22

DId you sense a different emphasis, a rising tone in this verse?

Yes, there is a definite change in David's tone with God. In the beginning of this passage, David is very humble. He uses his words to expres, "why me when you are so sovereign". The mood quickly changes in verse 22 to amazing praise

Over two thousand years ago, a group of disciples were compelled to praise Christ. Some of the Pharisees said, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" How did Christ respond to the Pharisees in Luke 19: 40

"I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out"

Can you imagine praising in such a mighty way that Christ knows it cannot be stopped. What an honor to do this right in His presence

Read verses 23 - 24

List every distinction David uses to refer to Israel in these passages

God's people

The one nation God went out to redeem

God's very own, forever

Israel's God

According to 1 Peter 2:9, we are also a peculiar people, much like the people of Israel

That is what sets us apart from the rest of the world.

Have you ever felt a little peculiar because of who you are in Christ?

Other people do make me feel awkward at time because I am so vocal about my faith. We are all a little shy because we feel we have to be so politically correct. When I am feeling pressured by this, I just think about how much I would never want Christ to hesitate when wanting to express His love for me.

According to verses 25 and 26, why did David want God to keep that promises?

So that God's name would be great forever!!!

Read verse 27 carefully. How do you think David found courage to the offer God his prayer?

God just promised to build a heritage for. He would be remembered as the one that belongs to God. He found courage to pray for this promise because of all the promises God kept in that days behind him.

Remember to take time to praise our God today!!! He deserves it, and it will make you feel so close to Him!!!

I have to end this e-mail rather abruptly. We have discussed all of the questions. I apologize to you for any mistakes in typing. I am presently hooked up to my chemo, and I am receiving a heavy dose of benadryl. I am fighting for my fingers to be able to type. I have to go and take a nap now.

Have a wonderful day and I love you!

Forever In Him

Tiffany Pate