What things bring rejoicing with praise?
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Psalm 145; Acts 16:9-40; Philippians 4:4-7) Blog 21-27 Aug. 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Suffering is part of human existence. A person may rebel against it or learn to deal with it. Christians are given ways to deal with suffering. God comforts, feeds, cares for, and is merciful to them in suffering. They look beyond the present to a future hope. By faith Christians can see the invisible God working out a way for them to come through the suffering with increased faith, perfected characters and a closer bond to him.
The Command
1. To whom is Paul writing in Philippians 4? Paul was writing to beloved, believers in Jesus (Phil. 1:1; 4:1).
2. Under what circumstances is Paul writing his letter to the Philippians? Paul is writing from Rome, while a prisoner there (Phil. 1:13-16).
3. What brought Paul to Philippi in the first place? Paul received a vision from God to leave Asia & begin preaching the Gospel in Europe, where Philippi was (Acts 16:9-12).
4. Where did Paul begin his ministry in Philippi? Paul & his companions met some women who were worshipping by the river on the Sabbath day (Acts 16:13).
5. What caused Paul and Silas to be beaten and cast into the Philippian prison? Paul & Silas were beaten & cast into prison because the masters of a spirit medium accused them of teaching anti-Roman customs after Paul cast the demon out of the medium (Acts 16:18-24).
6. What did Paul and Silas do at midnight while suffering in stocks in the inner prison? Paul & Silas prayed & sang praises unto God at midnight in the prison (Acts 16:25).
7. What was the result of Paul and Silas praising God while suffering? God sent an earthquake, the jailor was converted, & Paul & Silas were set free. They also must have received encouragement from each other while singing (Acts 16:26-40).
8. What statement of Jesus must have come to the minds of Paul and Silas in prison? Jesus said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:11-12).
9. Years later, what did Paul tell the Philippian believers to do? Paul told the Philippian believers to “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4).
The Cause
10. Besides suffering, what other things bring rejoicing with praise? God’s statutes, testimonies, Word, & works rejoice the heart. Bringing souls to God & having sweet fellowship with believers rejoices the heart (Psa. 19:8; 107:21; 119:14; 126:6; Jer. 15:16; Luke 15:5; 2 Cor. 1:14).
11. What reason for praising God does David repeat four times in Psalm 107? David says we should praise God for his goodness & for his wonderful works done for humanity (Psa. 107:8, 15, 21, 31).
12. In Psalm 145 what other reasons does David give for praising God? David lists God’s greatness, majesty, righteousness, graciousness, mercy, power, eternal nature, tender care, & holiness as reasons for praising God (Psa. 145).
13. When King Jehoshaphat was facing an attack from a formidable foe, what did he do? Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast, explained the situation to God, reminded God of their past dealings with the enemy, & asked God for help (2 Chron. 20:1-12).
14. How did God respond to Jehoshaphat’s prayer? God inspired Jahaziel, a Levite, with a message from God that said God would fight for Judah & they would not have to fight in this battle, but only march forth to victory (2 Chron. 20:14-17).
15. How did Jehoshaphat receive Jahaziel’s message? Jehoshaphat, together with all the people, bowed down & worshipped God & the Levites began to sing praises to God (2 Chron. 20:18-19).
16. What did Jehoshaphat do when going forth to battle the next day? Jehoshaphat reminded the people that they would be established if they believed God & that they would prosper if they believed God’s prophets. Then, after consulting the people, he appointed singers to go out before the army, praising the Lord (2 Chron. 20:20-21).
17. What happened when Jehoshaphat and all Judah went to war with songs of praise? The enemy armies all killed each other, and God’s people spent three days gathering all the loot before they returned to Jerusalem in peace, praising God (2 Chron. 20:22-30).
The Results
18. According to Philippians 4, what results from rejoicing in the Lord? Paul says that rejoicing in the Lord results in peace (Phil. 4:4-7).
19. According to 2 Corinthians 6, what results from rejoicing in the Lord? Paul says that those who rejoice in the Lord possess all things (2 Cor. 6:4-10).
20. What should we learn from the experience of Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison? Paul & Silas show us that praise is appropriate in the midst of suffering & before deliverance, for they trusted in the promises of God (Acts 16:25).
21. What should we learn from the experience of Jehoshaphat and Judah when faced with a formidable foe? Jehoshaphat and Judah show us that praise is appropriate before deliverance when a person trusts in the promises of God (2 Chron. 20:20-21).