SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS

SCRIPTURE:

“Praise the Lord.  Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord,  2 you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.  3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.  4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.  5 I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods.”   (Psalms 135:1—5)

OBSERVATION:

            The word praise is mentioned here five times.  Then the words servants of the Lord and those who minister in the house of the Lord follow.  I am reminded of the attitude not only as a servant of the Lord but someone who ministers in the house of the Lord to always be about praising God.  In all of the activities that I do, being a servant of the Lord must be about PRAISING God. 

            Serving God can be a challenge at times.  Sometimes I lose joy and focus.  Sometimes I complain and get discouraged.  But choosing to praise the Lord despite the way I feel is an act of trust and duty.  As a servant of the Lord and the one who ministers in the house of the Lord, PRAISING GOD should permeate every aspect of my service and ministry to him. 

            The Psalmist says THE LORD IS GOOD, and praising his name is a PLEASANT thing to do.  It is the Lord who has chosen Jacob to be his own.  He has chosen Israel to be his TREASURED POSSESSION.  The Lord is GREAT AND GREATER than all gods. 

            So, here’s the reason why I must PRAISE the Lord because he is GOOD.  Because it is a PLEASANT thing to do, and because he has CHOSEN me as he did to Jacob as HIS OWN.  And he has chosen me as he did to Jacob as his TREASURED possession.  Moreover, I must praise him because God is GREAT AND GREATER than ALL gods.  The mark of a faithful servant of Jesus is someone who serves and ministers in the house of the Lord with a praising and joyful heart. 

APPLICATION:

            I am grateful that the Holy Spirit reminded me of the attitude of serving Jesus.  I must examine my heart daily to see what my motivation is in serving the Lord and ministering in his house.  I always want to serve Jesus with the spirit of gladness and praise.  I to serve his people in his house with joyfulness and love.  I do not want to serve him complaining and looking for applause.  I just want to serve him gladly. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, help me to serve you with joy and gladness.  Teach me how to minister in your house with the right attitude of heart.  I know that I often don’t serve with gladness.  Help me to do everything in ministry, loving and praising you at all times.  Amen!