The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Ps 147:11.

“No fear” was a marketing slogan popular in the 1990’s. It conveyed the idea to live life fearlessly and experience life without fear of consequences. It encouraged people to have greater faith in themselves and believe you are capable of things greater than you ever imagined. For some, the slogan meant to live life adventurously, even foolishly. The scripture passage teaches to trust God with our fears and place faith in His goodness. God takes pleasure in our faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). Those who trust God and look to Him by faith, that faith is precious in His sight. Even if that faith is simple and small as though it were the size of a mustard seed (Lk 17:6) or a stretch of faith as only to touch of the hem of His garment (Mt 9:20), that faith of precious to God. The faith of the child of God is a “gift of God” (Eph 2:8) and God indwells His children to will and to do of His good pleasure. The gift is so that we “ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thes 4;1). Not of our power, but the power of God. We are blessed to work out what He works in. Abandon ourselves to Him, and He will perfect us in every good work to do His will (Heb 13:21). Dear friend, there are many acts of faith by which we may please God. Generosity is a sacrifice well-pleasing and acceptable unto God (Phil 4:18). Obedience is well-pleasing unto the Lord (Col 3:20). When follow His goodness and “do justly, and to love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God’ (Mic 6:8), God is well pleased. My friend, take confidence in the goodness of God and “hope in His mercy.” Will you fearlessly abandon your fears to trust Him? Will you walk by faith in Jesus Christ and in obedience to His word? These are the things that please God and demonstrate a life of faith through His Son Jesus. Father thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy forevermore. Help our unbelief that we may not fear but have faith. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. Ps 57:9

Do you have a song in your heart? Is there a song that you sing in weary times, in troubled times, or in times when the burden is too heavy to bear? Does singing words of encouragement leap from your lips as you look into the face of an infant babe? Of course, singing opens the windows of our soul that lets the light of hope shine out through the difficulties and darkness that surrounds our soul. Singing is vital to human survival and intricate to worship, praise, and thanksgiving. When good things happen, we sing. When we need strength for pressing times, we sing. When we are beyond words, we sing. The scripture passage reminds us that singing is a natural part of our praise and worship to the Lord. Singing celebrates the goodness of God. Singing expresses the joy of the Lord that lives within us. Singing exalts the majesty of God. The psalmist praised God for His faithfulness and sang his praises that released the deepest utterances of his soul. Singing is inherent to all creation. Creation celebrated God’s works with singing and rejoicing. Throughout the days of creation, God delighted in His works “rejoicing always before Him” (Prov 8:30). The multitude of the heavenly host announced the birth of the Christ Child with songs and praise saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Lk 2:13). Singing celebrates God’s work. Singing celebrates God’s will. Following the completion of the Last Supper, Jesus, along with His disciples, “sung a hymn” (Mt 26:30) and departed to do the Father’s will. Jesus, “sung a hymn” though His soul would soon be in agony and “His sweat became like great drops of blood” (Lk 22:44). Yet, He sang. Dear friend, the natural outpouring of the redeemed soul is to “praise” and “sing.” Will you allow the Spirit of God to overcome you heart and praise and sing with “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8)? At the return of Christ, we will sing with all of heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb” (Rev 5:12). Father, You are worthy of all praise. I sing praises to Your holy Name. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.