134. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, Hallelujah is for bad times and good, it is heart lifestyle.
29 March 2021
Photo by Brent Jordan from Unsplash
Hallelujah. Two Hebrew words put together, "Hallelu", to praise, and "Yah" for Yahweh; "Alleluia" in Greek.
Alleluia is used in the King James Version (KJV) Bible.
Revelation 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God".
Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Praise.
Hallelujah. Praise Yahweh. Praise the Lord.
One would say it comes easy to say "Hallelujah" when life is good. It should follow.
Although at times, comfort in life is more attributed to one's ability. Success comes with one's ability.
When life was good, a stable job, a house, a car and children were going to private school, I attributed it to my ability. I should say that's the tendency for most of us.
That tendency is "Praise Me". I would have a good night sleep feeling secure with the amenities in life. Illness was far from my mind as I was physically and mentally well. The prospects of life were good, nothing to worry.
I did not necessarily need help from others.
It was subtle drifting to idol worship of self. It was thin line between dignity and pride. It was slow feeding self with praise, like how termite works.
Proverbs 27
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but people are tested by their praise.
I got a special award from the company before I was sent on early retirement at age 37; I was confident I would easily get a similar job. I enjoyed for the moment being not on 8AM to 5PM schedule. Then started again with a promising career job lasting for 2 years.
Then disaster struck, I had no stable income in the next 5 years when my children were starting college.
I was tested with the praise of self that I was little by little craving for, feeling accomplished.
Then the crucible for silver and furnace for gold, I was tested under refiner's fire.
Malachi 3
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.
I know a man who had "Hallelujah" in his heart from the very start, he feared God, he was blameless and upright.
Job 1
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
When disaster struck, "Hallelujah" came as a matter of his heart lifestyle, his words "The name of the Lord be praised". Amen.
Job Loses His Property and Children
Job 1
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship
21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Proverbs 17
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.
The Lord gave me the benefit of the doubt.
I don't know if, during my long hour of affliction, I read these words of Job, which he uttered without knowing if God would restore his life and his health, and his property.
Job 42
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Simply, it was that time I realized my abilities counted to nothing. I called on God, the maker of the heavens and the earth.
I learned my lesson.
Deuteronomy 8
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
The Lord heard the cry of my heart. Family and friends are God-sent in my long hour of affliction.
Psalm 105:1-6 The Message Bible MSG
Hallelujah!
Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
Sharing my prayer, part of my reflection 8 November 2017.
Lord, "Hallelujah! Thank God! And why? Because he’s good, because his love lasts. But who on earth can do it— declaim God’s mighty acts, broadcast all his praises? You’re one happy man when you do what’s right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice" (Psalm 106:1-3 The Message Bible MSG). "Hallelujah! O my soul, praise God! All my life long I’ll praise God, singing songs to my God as long as I live" (Psalm 146:1-2 The Message Bible MSG). This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
One day, my children's children will utter, "Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, Hallelujah is for bad times and good, it is heart lifestyle." Amen.
May you be blessed with God's Word.
Maraming salamat.
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