Let's count the grace of the Lord

8 January 2022

Generally, the year-end party ends the year. All the unpleasant things are to forget. It is also important to forget what we dislike. But I don’t think we’ve all been successful this year, but we still want to thank the Lord and conclude the year. The best way is to count the grace of the Lord and remember what the Lord has done for us.

There is power in gratitude. I introduce the true story.

During the time of Napoleon (France 200 years ago), a man named Charonet was put in prison for innocent charges. After spending months there, he was desperate and prepared to die.

Every day, there was a spot in the cell where a little sunlight came in. One morning, to his surprise, he noticed a small grass sprout out of the hard soil. He watered the grass every day with gratitude and joy because it seemed like the light of hope God had given him. Eventually the grass grew and finally bloomed beautiful purple and white flowers.

The guards, who were watching this series of events, went home and told their wives about this story. Eventually, this story reached the ears of Napoleon’s wife Josephine. She was moved by this story, convinced that no one who loved flowers so much could be a criminal, and asked Napoleon to redo the trial. And as a result, he was released from suspicion and freed.

When we look back on the year and when we look back on our life history, I think we can see it from the perspective of dissatisfaction and from the perspective of gratitude. If we are not careful, our hearts tend to lean toward negatives and complaints.

To live a life of gratitude, we need to be conscious. See the praise of King David.

¹Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
²Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Savior Jesus was born as a descendant of King David. David is commanding his soul. “Praise the Lord, my soul ” (verse 1) Probably because if he leaves it alone without being aware of it, complaints will come out of his mouth. That is why David commanded his heart, “Praise the Lord, my soul “

King Solomon, the son of King David, said in Proverbs 4:23, ” Keep an eye on your heart as much as you can. The fountain of life is about to come.”

We also want to command our souls and our hearts. “Praise the Lord, my soul “

What does it mean to praise the Lord? There are two.

1. Praise the Holy Name (verse 1)

The name represents the person itself. Therefore, the name of God is the nature of God, God himself. “Praise the Holy Name” means praise God Himself.

If we read the Bible, we find that God has various names. The name of God is Yahweh, but the Jews were afraid to call God’s name directly and were replaced by Adonai. Adonai means “Lord”. I introduce three.

① Adonai Ilue = Preparer (Genesis 22:14)　

Abraham then named the place Adonai Irue. Even today, it is said that “there is a preparation on the mountain of the Lord.”　　　

We may have a deficiency. But the God we believe in is the Preparer. He prepares things we need for our life. When we find “God’s name” in the Bible, or when God’s name comes to our mind, we can pray in that name. “I’m deficient. This isn’t enough. But you’re Adonai Irue, the preparer. Thank you for giving us our needs, Adonai Irue (the preparer). I praise the name of the Lord. “

( 2 ) Adonai Nishi = Flag of Victory (Exodus 17:15, 16)　Moses built an altar and called it Adonai Nishi. Will be fighting Amalek over the years. “

“I’m defeated in this area now. But you’re the Victor. Lord, be on my side and help me win. I believe I can win, Adonai Nishi. I praise the name of a Lord. “

③ Adonai Shalom = Lord of Peace (Judges 6:24) 　 So Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and named it Adonai Shalom. To this day, it remains in the Abiezerian O’Fla.

“My relationships aren’t working. I’m fighting and hostile to that person. This world is divided. But you’re Adonai Shalom (Lord of Peace). Give reconciliation and make this world peaceful. Thank you for being able to create peace. Praise the name of the Lord, Adonai Shalom. “

Jesus also has many names, but I would like to introduce three. What kind of person is Jesus?

① The Lamb of God who removes the sins of the world (John 1:29)　 The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him and said. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

Jesus is the one who can get rid of our sins. Our sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus’ cross. I praise the name of Jesus, the Savior.　　

② Light (John 8:12) Jesus spoke to them again. “I am the light of the world. Those who follow me never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

There is darkness in our hearts, but Jesus shines light on that dark part. We can move from darkness to light, from devilish rule to divine rule. We can change it so that we can walk in the light through Jesus. I praise the name of Jesus, the light.

③ Alpha Omega (Revelation 1: 8) The Lord God, now and now, now and then, who will come later, the ruler of all things is said. “I am Alpha and Omega.”

The first Greek letter is alpha and the last is omega. Jesus is the first and the last. He governs everything. The founder and perfector of faith. The Omicron strain of coronavirus that is prevalent now is the 15th Greek letter. Previously, there were Delta, Lambda, Mu, etc., but now the 15th letter is used. It would be a problem if the coronavirus did not converge until we went to the last Omega, but let’s praise the name of Jesus who governs everything.

2. Don’t forget anything that the Lord has done for us (verse 2)

Praise the work of God. At first, we praised God’s name, God himself, and the nature of God, but here we praise God’s work. We praise what God has done in my life and life this year, what God has done to my family, and what God has done to the church.

We have a reason to praise God. （Verse 3-5）

The Lord forgives all our sins　Jesus Christ is the Savior. Our sins and blame were forgiven on the cross of Jesus.

The Lord heals all our diseases　Jesus Christ is the Healer. One of God’s names is Yahweh Rafa = Healer. ” I am the Lord, the one who heals you ” (Exodus 15:26) .

The Lord redeems our life from the pit　　Jesus Christ freed us from the hole (death and destruction). He gives us eternal life. Jesus Christ is resurrection and life (John 11:25)

The Lord crowns us with love and compassion,who satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

God is Yahweh Irue (preparation) who fulfills daily needs. Give financial blessings and fill our heart with peace and spiritual blessings. God blesses us in all areas of our bodies, minds, and spirits, and also gives us health and youth. The Lord fills our lives with good things.

So let’s praise the Lord. Praise God’s name and praise God’s work.

And let’s look up at the cross of Jesus. This is a plus. The Lord Jesus changes minus to plus. God will prepare the way for escape. What we can’t understand now will turn everything into profit and lead us to the best.

Count the grace of the Lord, conclude the year, and welcome a new year.