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The Mother of a Prophet

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Hannah, the young woman whose infertility sent her to God, became the mother of a prophet. Her son became the voice of God to the nation of Israel. In 1 Samuel 2 we read her song, a song given birth through suffering. Within it, we discover what Hannah learned about God, what He did for her, and His ways among men.

Learned of God

The truths Hannah learned about God caused her to declare, “There is none holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” She learned that He was a God of knowledge, the pillars of the earth belong to Him because He set the earth on them. In addition, He is the judge of all the earth and He guards the feet of His saints.

What He did

Hannah’s life changed by what He did for her. Now she rejoices in the LORD, her strength is exalted in the LORD. She smiles at her enemies because she can rejoice in the salvation of God. While her tormentor has become feeble, she now has seven children.

His Ways Among Men

She also learned His ways among men. The Lord lifts the needy and humbles the proud. He turns circumstances around; the bows of mighty men are broken while those who stumbled are girded with strength, those who were full become those who sell themselves for bread, while the hungry ceased to hunger. He makes poor and He makes rich. He brings down to the grave and He brings up. He raises the poor from the dust and the beggar from the ash heap to set them among princes and makes them to inherit the throne of glory. He is the God who will give strength to His king and lift up the strength of His anointed.

From Hannah’s song in I Samuel 2, we discovered what Hannah learned about God, what He did for her, and His ways among men.

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Gratitude: Music

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Imagine sitting about a blazing fire on a cool autumn evening, listening to the hiss and crackle of the fire. Add to it the soft strumming of a guitar and the sounds of voices singing songs of praise. Then, let your heart swell with gratitude for music, the music of nature, the music of instruments and the music of voices lifted in praise.

The Music of Nature

Whispers of a soft breeze, the hum of insects, the crack of thunder, the coos of an infant, the rippling of a lake, or the voice of a loved one, fill our lives with peace and wonder. I recollect the words of an old hymn, “to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.” Malthie D. Babcock writes further, “the birds their carols sing,” and “in the rustling grass, I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.” For this music of nature, I am grateful.

The Music of Instruments

The first instrument, the voice of God, sparked a world into existence. The next recorded sound was that of Adam in praise of God’s creation, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” Though the fall tainted those voices, within a few chapters we hear of Jubal who is the father of all those who play the harp and the flute. The Psalms speaks of instruments of praise. For the gift of instrumental music I am grateful.

Voices Lifted in Praise

Above all, God’s heart is thrilled with the sound of voices lifted in praise. The Psalms are replete with praise and admonitions to sing, play instruments, and dance before the Lord. It is pleasant and beautiful. In addition, it is powerful. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. For voices lifted in praise, I am grateful. Put on some music or make some yourself. Let your heart swell with gratitude for music, the music of nature, the music of instruments and the music of voices lifted in praise.

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Gratitude: A Relationship With God

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

The Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, of the the seen and the unseen, longs to have relationship with you and me. Like the Psalmist, only with hearts full of praise can we express our gratitude. The God who called Abraham ‘friend’ or considered Daniel ‘greatly beloved’ invites us into relationship. Our finite minds grapple with all that He is as we relate to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We give thanks.

God the Father

Unlike the idols of the nations which have mouths but do not speak, eyes that do not see, and ears that do not hear, our God speaks, and light overcomes the darkness, He looks and the castaways are no longer invisible, He hears whoever calls on His name, and answers.

God the Son

The Son of God, took on our flesh. He became as we are in order to represent us fully before the Father. His death reconciled us to the Father and His resurrection gives us power to live as a new creation. Now in the heavenlies, He intercedes for us while preparing our eternal home. He is soon returning because He longs to be with us.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit lives within us. He knows our thoughts before they become words. In times of difficulty, He replaces our fear with power, love, and strength of mind and soul. He guides us into all truth. In times of temptation, He provides a way of escape. The fullness of God, dwelling within us, Amazing! Humbling!

Praise to God the Father, Praise to God the Son, Praise to the Holy Spirit,

Our finite minds grapple with all that He is as we relate to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We give thanks.

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“Lord God Almighty”

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” Psa.8:1

My mind fills with awe as I consider the Great I am. The God who in the Book of Revelations declares;

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

My heart expands with wonder at the scene in heaven in which unceasing worship has creatures beyond our imagination repeating;

“Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Who was, Who is and Who is to come.”

Lord God Almighty, Who Was?

Through Isaiah chapter 40;12-14, Isaiah further draws me into worship, proclaiming Lord God Almighty, Who was;

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, measured heaven with a span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?”

Lord God Almighty, Who Is?

In Isaiah, as he speaks of Lord God Almighty, Who is, I meditate and sense the lifting of my spirit.

“To whom shall you liken Me? Or to whom shall I be equal? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”

 “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in He brings the princes to nothing. He makes the judges of the earth useless.”

Lord God Almighty, Who is to Come?

The writer to the Hebrews helps us to make sense of our God, who transcends time, whose glory is above the heavens. We learn that Jesus, after He offered Himself the sacrifice for sin, sat down at the right hand of God where He waits for God to make His enemies His footstool.  We, like the fathers of our faith, have no continuing city here, we seek the one that is to come where Jesus is the light. There He will wipe every tear from our eyes.  He tells us He is coming quickly. Such a One is worthy of our highest praise!

“One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His kingdom is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13&14.

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Whoever Calls On the Name of the Lord Shall Be Saved

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Jesus extended the invitation,

“Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden.”

“Whoever calls”

For those who sink beneath the weariness of life, confused, fearful, drowning or lost, the Word further proclaims,

“I have come to seek and to save that which is lost.”

Then the ultimate declaration goes forth,

“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”

Whoever

This is the ultimate invitation. Jesus explains its breadth through stories; the one lost sheep of the hundred, the lost coin from the woman’s dowry, and the estranged son. Though He came to the Jewish people, His ministry went beyond them to any who hungered for God. He does not have favourites. It is for all. The apostle John records the comforting words of Jesus,

“the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out.”

Jesus further states,

“this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Even to the last chapter of the Bible, the invitation remains extended to all,

“whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Calls Upon the Name of the Lord

It depends, however, on calling on the Name of the Lord. It is in Romans 10 Paul proclaimed that truth,

“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There is, however, more to it. Paul asks how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard or hear without a preacher? How shall they preach unless they are sent? Jesus spoke of this when He said,

“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few, Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Now the body of Christ must ask God to raise up harvesters, to call forth preachers, and teachers, and parents and friends to ensure they speak out the word. Once people hear, they will believe and be able to call upon His name.

Shall Be Saved

 The result? He will save those who call upon Him. Further in Romans Paul states the simple message,

“if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Acts 16 tells such a story. The jailor who, in the chaos of Paul and Silas’ angelic release from prison, cried out,

“What must I do to be saved?”

They answered,

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Then they further instructed and baptized this man and his family.

It is simple really and so worthy of praise this plain gospel invitation,

“Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”

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Praise for the Promise

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

As we hear this Christmas time, the familiar words from the prophets; let them live in our minds. As they do, we will gain new insights from God’s word. We will find reasons to praise for the promise as we consider the promise foretold, the promise fulfilled, and the promise experienced.

God Keeps His Promises!

The Promise Foretold

The promises of God foretell the birth of a Saviour beginning in Genesis and continuing throughout the Old Testament. Here are three such passages.

In the first one, Micah tells us “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Then secondly from Isaiah we read, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive,” “Shall call His name Immanuel,” “For unto us a Child is born,” “His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

And thirdly Zechariah proclaims, “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the House of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.”

The Promise Fulfilled

The New Testament shows us the promises fulfilled. Matthew recounts the story of the wise men who came from the east looking for the king whose star they had seen. It was to the words of Micah they turned. His prophecy about Bethlehem guided them to the Christ child. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as promised.

Matthew also tells the story of the virgin birth. He refers to the words of Isaiah informing the reader “Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet.” God does what He says He will do.

Luke writes, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” These words of the angel echoed Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of a child. The apostles learn and speak of the risen Lord. He is Wonderful, a Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

To sum it up, Peter in his sermon to Cornelius, who was not a Jew, and his household, refers to the prophets and the fountain Zachariah spoke of when he said, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

These men write to tell us that God fulfilled His promises.

The Promise Experienced

Jesus, the promise of God, is for each individual. As we see the promises fulfilled for us personally, we receive a fresh revelation. God makes promises, and He keeps them. Then, as we read more of His word, we find it overflows with promises. We discover this truth Paul informs us of in 2 Corinthians 1:19,20.

“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,- by me, Silvanus and Timothy – was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”

Here we have it. We find reasons to praise for the promise as we consider the promise foretold, the promise fulfilled, and the promise experienced.

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The Power of Praise

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

When working with all kinds of people of varied ages, I have received great joy at witnessing the energy and enthusiasm come alive in one who had received a gift of praise. Should it be so strange that our Father in heaven, whose image we carry, should show forth His strength and power when we offer to Him our gift of praise? There are three stories in the Bible that illustrate the substantial power God shows in the presence of praise. God’s show of power is clear at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, in an overwhelming battle and at the appearance of His son to earth.

God is good! His mercy is everlasting!

At Solomon’s Temple

King David had it in his heart to build a temple of worship. God, however, had his son Solomon build the temple. Once completed, King Solomon brought all the dedicated articles and furnishings to the temple with one thing remaining, the ark of the covenant. The ark had been a symbol of God’s presence to the Israelites, and now it would rest in the temple. The priests finally placed the ark in its place. Then something amazing happened. The Levites who were singers clothed in white linen, with their cymbals, stringed instruments and harps along with one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets, made one sound, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” God filled the temple with His glory. The cloud of His glory was so overpowering it became impossible for the priests to minister.

In An Overwhelming Battle

The next story is one of overwhelming odds. King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites heard that a great multitude from beyond the sea were coming against them. It caused them to seek God’s face for direction. God answered. He told them they would not need to fight this battle. He would fight for them. They believed Him. The King appointed singers to praise the beauty of holiness and to say, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” From the moment they sang the first note and to offer their praise, the Lord defeated the enemy.

At the Appearance of His Son

Our last story begins with the government making a command which made life difficult for many people. It made travel necessary for several, and travel in their land and time was difficult. It was especially so for a young pregnant woman whose only ride was a donkey. When they arrived at the place they had to go, there were no accomodations. They were weary and afraid. Then something changed. An angel appeared to some lonely shepherds out in the fields and made an announcement. A whole multitude of angels then split the night sky with praises, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” When earth was bleak, it was the praises of heaven that ushered in the time of Emmanuel upon the earth.

Praise is powerful! God’s show of power is clear at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, in an overwhelming battle and at the appearance of His son to earth. Let us lift our voices in praise and see what happens.

“God is good and His mercy is everlasting!”

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Against All Odds

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

We become participants in one of the greatest praise celebrations in history when we read Exodus 15. Moses and the children of Israel had just crossed the Red Sea on dry land. Then only moments later the same dry land became a watery grave to Pharaoh and his army. Finally safe, and freed from their Egyptian captors, the children of Israel turned their faces to the Lord, who against all odds, triumphed gloriously to become their salvation. This is the song they sang,

“I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously!”

“The horse and its rider He has overthrown into the sea!”

Against all Odds

I Will Sing

This song was the first act of their praise. Moses sang a great song of victory. It not only declared the victory, but praised He who had won it. His song of praise rose to his God, and the God of his father. The song caused others to lift their praise. His declarations of the victory and of the Victor caused a rippling affect. For afterward, his sister Miriam, followed by the women, took up the song of praise.  There was singing, dancing and the shaking of the tambourines. Their minds, hearts, and actions aligned to offer praise to the Lord who had triumphed.

To the Lord

It was not to some unknown God they sang their praises. Moses claimed Him not only as the centre of his own worship but that of his father. There was a relationship here with history. Moses knew the Lord as a man of war. By His right hand He fought for His people, defeating their enemies. Moses had seen God’s victory in each of the plagues. The enemy had his plans. Pharaoh’s desire was to wipe out the Israelites, but the Lord used those plans. They were His opportunity to show forth His glorious holiness. He led forth His people in mercy, those He had redeemed out of Egypt and was guiding them to dwell in the mountain of His inheritance, the place where He would dwell.

He Has Triumphed Gloriously

When Moses and the children of Israel faced the Red Sea, they felt the ground shake as Pharaoh, his mighty horses and chariots raced toward them. They cried out to God and murmured at Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness?” Fear gripped them. They could only see the present situation. The message it sent foretold annihilation. God, however, had a plan to reveal His power not only to the Egyptians but to the other nations into which He was sending His people to inherit their land. God worked powerfully on behalf of His people. He got them through on dry land, then destroyed their enemies. The battle they faced was but a foreshadowing of the greatness of the victory.

God did a mighty work! Throughout history, men have tried to explain it away. The children of Israel were there. He had done it for them. They sang a song to the Lord, who had triumphed gloriously. He was the glorious victor who did it against all odds! Today, remember what marvellous things God has done for you and raise your songs of praise.

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Who is this One to Whom our Praise is Due?

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Praise calls us to go deep, to concentrate on He who is worthy of our praise. There is a need for focus, a time to push all other distractions aside, leaving only room for thoughts of God. Praise is intimate like the Songs of Solomon, an intense awareness of the Beloved and a knowledge of being beloved. Enveloped in Him, our praises flow forth as we enter oneness with the Father, the Christ and the Holy Spirit. He is the One to Whom our praise is due as we turn all that we are toward God, our great creator, redeemer and friend.

The splendour of creation

The Great Creator

He is the triune God who in the beginning looked over the empty darkness and said, “Let there be light.” His titles include the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. There is no start, no finish apart from His hand. He is the source of all in existence and when He had finished, He saw it was “very good”. We become distracted by powerless, lifeless, empty idols such as the Psalmist speaks of in Psa. 115 when he writes:

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not, eyes have they but they see not, … may you be blessed of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Redeemer

Jesus, the right hand of God shines throughout the scripture as the Redeemer. Job spoke prophetically when he said, “I know that my Redeemer lives. And He shall stand at last on the earth.”

Isaiah puts it this way,

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb; I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.”

“But now says the Lord, who created you O Jacob, and He who formed you O Israel Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, You are mine.”

God is the great I am. Thus He lives! He lives for us today as One who purchased us with His blood.

Friend

Solomon declared, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus also spoke of friendship when he told his disciples there was no greater love than to lay down their life for a friend. He fulfilled those words as He gave His life as a ransom.  Again Jesus spoke of his friends, when in John 15, He no longer calls them servants but friends. Now, whatever His father told Him he would share with his friends. To think our creator and Redeemer calls us “friend”. Such is the One to whom our praise is due.

Triune God, Creator, Redeemer, Friend: We lift our voices in praise to You, the giver of life, and its sustainer. We see your splendour in creation, sunsets, rivers, and it reverberates through the lives of the redeemed. We who You have called “friend” set it apart as sacred.

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On Our Way to “Fifty Days to Praise”

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Where We Have Been

For the past 28 weeks from April through to October, I have shared my reflections on the Book of Ephesians. I needed to focus my thoughts and studying a book gave me direction. Once I began there was no going back. Ephesians demands much time and study. The more I studied, the more I found. Paul covers a lot of ground in Ephesians and as a result I discovered much. If I were to go back through it, I know I could discover more. Yet as I ponder what to do next, I am aware of several things.

On our way to “Fifty Days to Praise“

Where We Are

For one, my life is in transition and perhaps I learn that in my life, transition is constant! This spring my husband retired from pastoring. Not sure which way to turn, we purchased a trailer with the anticipation of travel and parked at a Christian Retreat Centre for the summer. None too soon, as snow has already found us, we closed our trailer. For now, God has supplied for us, an apartment. Following that time, we plan to visit our daughter in Calgary over Christmas and then to head to Texas for a break from Canada’s winter. 

For another, I am cluttered in my thinking. I realize that the book I am writing about my mother consumes many of my thoughts. I want to do her justice and to do so takes time. I am reconnecting with my family in the area. I need to probe their minds for the memories they have, and to make up for the years when life was busy with children, work schedules and distance. I also realize I need more time in prayer in order to approach my days with a sound mind rather than being blown hither and yon by the multitude of negative and dreary news around me.

 Finally, there is the awareness of the upcoming advent season. I want to include it into my reflections. As a result, plans for Christmas add to all the other things in my head striving for attention.

Where Are We Going

As I consider all these things, I realize that the best thing for me over the next 10 weeks is to concentrate on praise. Thus, for the next ten weeks, I will reflect on “Fifty days of Praise.” I believe this is what my soul needs in these upcoming days and perhaps yours also as we continue to wade through the mire of a pandemic, tumultuous political unrest, and a sick and weary world. I know to look to Jesus brings what we yearn for, and praise brings Him close. My prayer is that as we learn in the next fifty days to praise, there will be a change in the atmosphere around us and we will know with a refreshed certainty that God is with us.

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