This past Sunday was another awesome sermon in the "The Praise Factor" series. I hope each of you feel encouraged and continue to grow as you go about your week! In Pastor Marty’s sermon, titled "Praise Piracy," he delved into how our praise can be stolen and what we can do to protect and restore it.
Reflecting on the Past
Focusing in on the story of Solomon. You may already be familiar with this story, but in 1 Kings 3:7-14, Solomon prays for an understanding heart and discernment between good and evil. God grants him wisdom and a prolonged life, provided he walks in God's ways. Solomon’s reign was marked by immense wealth, as shown in 1 Kings 10:14-15, where he received 666 talents of gold in one year. This abundance is further illustrated in 1 Kings 10:16-17, where Solomon made shields of gold, representing God's continued splendor and blessing over his kingdom.
The Decline and Consequences
Despite his wisdom and blessings, Solomon’s heart grew spiritually dull. He married foreign women and built temples for their gods, leading Israel into idolatry. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, continued this decline by building sacred spaces for foreign gods and engaging in detestable practices. This rebellion and idolatry angered God, and in 1 Kings 14:22-24, Judah did more evil than their ancestors, provoking God’s jealousy.
The Result of Compromise
In 1 Kings 14:25-26, Shishak, the king of Egypt, marched against Jerusalem and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. Without much resistance, the precious shields were stolen. Because of this, Rehoboam was forced to replace them with bronze shields, which was a poor substitute in comparison to the might that gold shields bore to foreign visitors, as noted in 1 Kings 14:27-28.
Praise Pirated from the Church
In relation to our topic at hand, the gold shields can be likened to our praise. Gold sets a standard of value, it is difficult to destroy, and is found in heaven, just like our praise. The shields symbolized protection in battle, testimonies of God’s blessings, and were unfortunately stolen and replaced with substitutes that were cheaply made and lacked any deep value.
Restoring the Shields of Praise
To restore our praise, we must recognize that the battle can be won today with a decision. Decisions made today will be lived out tomorrow, and we must not substitute our praise with anything less valuable. Our praise is like gold, and it should remain pure, strong, and unwavering.
Takeaways:
Take time this week to reflect on these points
Recognize Spiritual Wealth: Reflect on the blessings and spiritual wealth God has given you. How can you protect and honor these gifts in your daily life?
Guard Against Spiritual Dullness: Consider if there are areas where your heart has grown spiritually dull. Pray for renewal and a fervent heart that seeks God above all else.
Reject Substitutes: Identify any areas where you might have substituted genuine praise with lesser things. Commit to offering your best praise to God, just as Solomon’s gold shields represented the best of his kingdom.
Reclaim Your Praise: In moments of worship, focus on reclaiming the purity and value of your praise. Let your adoration for God shine through your actions, words, and lifestyle.
Live Out Your Decisions: Understand that the decisions you make today in your spiritual walk will shape your future. Choose to honor God with your praise and live out your faith boldly.
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