Thanks from: Us --- To: God

Last night we had a wonderful time praising and honoring the Lord. The meal afterward was great. The scriptures covered made me dive in further to a single verse. I think that a study of this verse will allow us to see how great and mighty our God is. Also we will see our need to praise him!

Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty are in his dwelling.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (NLT)

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV)

Splendor and majesty flow out of him,
strength and joy fill his place.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (The Message)

Glory and honour are in his presence;
strength and gladness are in his place.
1 Chronicles 16:27 (KJV)

The 5 bold words I want to show you there translated meanings and usage:

• Honor - authority 2, beauty 1, glory 1, honor 3, majestic 2, majesty 4, natural color 1, splendid 1, splendor 8, vigor 1
  
  
• Majesty - array 1, beautiful 1, dignity 1, honor 2, majestic 2, majesty 15, splendor 8
  
  
• Strength - fortress* 1, loud 1, might 3, mighty 4, power 12, stern 1, strength 53, strong 16, stronghold 2
  
  
• Joy - joy 2
  
  
• Place - anywhere* 1, area 1, country 1, direction 1, everywhere* 1, ground 2, home 7, home town 1, localities 1, place 348, place suitable 1, places 16, position 1, room 3, seat* 2, site 4, sites 1, some 1, source 1, space 1, space* 1, where* 1, wherever 1, wherever* 2
  

Honor is the first word. What does it mean to honor God? How do we do this? Well one of the ways to use this word is to say natural color or be an ornament. The way we honor God is becoming an ornament of Him to the world. The time is coming to decorate trees with ornaments. We do this to make the tree more beautiful. In this case God does not need to be more beautiful. He just wants us to be an ornament that reflects and shines His glory.

Majesty is our second word. Every time I hear this word I think of kings and queens. This is natural for many of us. I will use the word dignity. We treat many people we respect with great dignity. This isn't a required thing but just a way of complimenting the person. With God it naturally flows from his throne. We are not required to respect or honor God. It is a great choice and privledge. This again is a symbol of worship.

Strength is the third word. This in the world describes a person with physical strength. God's strength is everywhere. It is not just physical. One of the words meanings can be stronghold. Think now that you are in the military and your commander has said to you that finally they have a stronghold in the enemies territory. This means that it is established and not moving. It is a central point to wage a great offensive. God's power is just the same. His strength is given to us as a stronghold. It will now allow the enemy to defeat us. So in our weakness God is strong.

Joy is the fourth word. Joy is a term that is about to be popular for about one month. "Joy to the world...." You will hear it being played everywhere. When people are asked what brings them true joy. I am afraid that many would not put Christ in the list. True joy only comes from the heart of God. We find great joy in our salvation.

Finally the last word is Place. It actually has "His place". Where is this? Well to look at the word usages it seem to suggest that it is everywhere. When you think of it that is true. God has created all things through himself. All things are his. The great thing is he wants to share in this. God created the earth and put man on it. When man sinned this was not his home anymore. God has heaven set up for us. He has that awaiting us. So His place has been made for us too.

Reading all this if you took the time you see we have a great reason to be thankful. God is great and powerful. But he wants to share it ALL with us. Praise him!