Macedonia Meeting At Ider Ends
REJOICE!

"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." Luke 19:37.

The previous scripture refers to the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This may seem to have no meaning to us in 1997, but I believe we have experienced much that the people of Jerusalem felt in that day.

Jesus has been nigh or near to us during our meeting. We have not been able to see Him with our natural eyes as the people of that time, but we have seen Him with our spiritual eyes. He has made Himself near to us by manifesting His presence in our midst. In spite of our being dead in trespasses and sins by nature and separated from Him, except for His grace, He has drawn near to us. That is wonderful to me.

In manifesting His presence among us, Jesus has done mighty works. The mighty works in this text may be different from those we have experienced. God has blessed us abundantly. He has blessed our song services. He has blessed Brother George to preach the Word of God and He has blessed us spiritually in other ways, such as prayer and fellowship. I trust we can remember much of what we have heard and experienced to better serve the Lord.

The people of that day praised Jesus for those mighty works He had done. We certainly have asked the Lord to bless us during our meeting and He has granted our requests. If we ask Him for blessings, we should thank Him for giving us those blessings. Thanksgiving can be done through prayer, public testimony, the manner we sing and many other ways. God help us to praise Him for the blessings he has given us.

As the people praised Jesus for the mighty works He did, they rejoiced. It is difficult for me to imagine people praising without rejoicing. I believe, when we praise as we should, we will rejoice. May the Lord help us to remember the exhortation in I Thessalonians 5:16. "Rejoice evermore." We should be happy to do it. May the Lord bless each of you.

Brother Lee
(Elder Lee Price)