The Words of Jesus in John 15 come immediately to mind as I read this Scripture, especially verses 4 – 5 + 7, which say, “Abide in Me (Live in Me, Jesus), and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We read these powerful Words in John 3: 27: which say, “John (the Baptist) answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from Heaven.” I could try to worship the Lord in my own strength, without having Jesus as Lord of my life, but the Lord tells us in John 4: 24: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Hebrews 13: 15 + 20 – 21: attests that it is only through Jesus that acceptable praise is offered, saying “Through Him (Only) then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His Name. Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the Blood (that ratified, sealed) of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip (strengthen, complete, perfect, and make you what you ought to be) you in every good thing to do His Will, (while He Himself) working in us that which is pleasing in His Sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah), to whom be the Glory forever and ever. Amen.” So when our spirit is the residence of the Lord of praise, quickened by the very Spirit of God, we are then able to offer to the Lord praises that are worthy to be received.
Psalm 50: 23: says, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way (conversation, aligns his confession, his life with the Will of God) aright I shall show the salvation of God.”
Isaiah 61: 11: says, “For as (surely as) the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown it to spring up, so (surely) the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations (through the self-fulfilling Power of His Word). Isaiah 43: 21: says, “The people whom I formed for Myself shall declare My praise.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so very much for the honor and privilege we have of being the vessels through which You would let Your praises flow, to Your Glory. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and draw many who have struggled in their own limitedness, to drink mightily of the abundance of Your Goodness that Your song would well up within. Thank You for the awesome gift of being Yours. Glory to You alone!
