QT: Cure: Bless The LORD Nehemiah9:1–5 Week 32: 03/08/2023. Thu
Cure: Bless The LORD
https://www.esv.org/Nehemiah9:1–5
Week 32: 03/08/2023. Thu
In spite of human rebellion, history showed the LORD's constant mercy (while available). Blessing the LORD would then be the natural response to the LORD's mercy received.
Nehemiah 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. (ESV)
"Bless the LORD" would be to speak well of Him. When we "bless the LORD", we focus our minds on Him, and not ourselves. The LORD's name is glorious and His deeds wonderful.
Relying on ourselves and peers would inevitably set ourselves up for disappointment—because we, and those humans whom we currently look up to, would fail us sooner or later. (There is no pretense that sinners can live perfect lives even after accepting salvation. No.)
Even though saved by grace through faith, the subsequent sanctification journey implies a "work in progress", a sinner still on the road to perfection.
Therefore, "bless the LORD" would be a self-care activity, to protect ourselves from disappointment. To produce in our minds the many things to give thanks for.
REFLECTION: Would you be "standing up" to bless the LORD" this coming weekend?
