BLESS THE LORD  - (PART 1)       

 

Memory Verse:  “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this – those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from the east and west, from the north or south.” Psalm 107:1-3. (NIV).

 

Bible Passage: Psalm 103: 1-22.

 

LESSON OBJECTIVE  

We should, at the end of the lesson, be able to give reasons why we should praise the Lord always.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

God loves it when we pray with thanksgiving, and He is disappointed when we fail to show appreciation for mercies received from Him. See Philippians 4: 6-7; Luke 17: 11-19.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE REDEEMED OF GOD SAY SO

Why should believers praise God?

 

i). For the forgiveness of our sins. Psalm 103: 1-4; 107: 1-2.

ii). For the gift of eternal life. John 3: 16.

iii). For being regenerated, being born again, to become new persons. 2 Cor. 5: 17.

iv). For being made God’s children. I John 3:1; Rom. 8: 15-16; Gal. 4: 4-7.

v). For redeeming us from the curse of the law. Gal. 3: 10-14.

 

Recall for a moment the latest thing God did for you that is worthy of giving Him thanks, and thank Him.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 2: ALL LIVING BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT SHOULD PRAISE THE LORD                                                                                                                                  

 

i). All living souls should praise the Lord. Psalm 150: 3-6.

ii). For those who love The Lord and live in obedience to Him, for those who repose their faith and confidence in Him, He will constantly take on the enemy on their behalf. II Chron. 20: 15, 17.

iii). God wrought miracles in the lives of believers in both the Old and New Testament times, and they showed their appreciation by praising Him, e.g. Hannah (I Sam. 2: 1-10); Mary (Luke 1: 46-55); Paul

( II Cor. 1: 3-4).

 

As you receive your own miracles, as God intervenes in extraordinary ways in your own life, remember to also praise Him.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 3: THERE IS POWER IN PRAISE

 

i). King Jehoshaphat praised God and received victory over a combined army from three nations. II Chron. 20: 1; 18-24.

ii). Paul and Silas praised God in prison, and the prison doors were unlocked, their chains came loose, and the jailer was eventually saved that same night. Acts 16: 25-34.

iii). Four days after Lazarus died, Jesus prayed thanking God, and the dead Lazarus rose from his grave. John 11: 4-45 (see vs. 33-45).

 

In all these cases, the situation prior to the commencement of the praise session looked very bleak and hopeless. An onlooker might consider these individuals out of their mind for praising God at such times. But the God Who inhabits the praises of His people responded to their faith and confidence in Him.

 

He is still our God today, and will respond to our praise and thanksgiving.

 

SUMMARY

Let everything that is inside me praise the Lord. Praise the Lord Oh my soul always.