THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG Exod 15:1-19 INTRODUCTION We all know that this was the song of Moses, Miriam, and Israel on their deliverance, but this is also my song today, For I once was in captivity, tired, weary, and, puzzled with only a small shadow of hope, and under the control of a Pharaoh, (the god of this world), I was under many burdens by the enemies task masters without a genuine true sense of freedom. I was searching for a way out, hoping for the impossible to become possible. I was searching for a rainbow, the only rainbow I seen was without colors. I searched for a pot of gold, for a reason to go on living. In my desperation I cried out, And something happened, and now I know, He touched me and made me whole. Then the rainbows begin to show forth their colors. Jesus came on stage of my lives drama, and acted on my behalf He triumphed gloriously and the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Now, I sing a song, a brand new song, a song that the angels themselves cannot sing. It's the song of the redeemed, the most favorite song of all. I as a sinner was now made clean, bought by the BLOOD of Calvary. Now the LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exod 15:2 This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man. Holiness to the Lord is in every part of it. It may be considered as typical, and prophetical of the final destruction of the enemies of the church. Happy the people whose God is the Lord. We have work to do, temptations to grapple with, and afflictions to bear, and we are weak in ourselves; but his grace is our strength. We are often in sorrow, but in him we have comfort; he is our song. Sin, and death, and hell threaten us, but he is, and will be our salvation. The Lord is a God of almighty power, he is glorious in holiness; his holiness is his glory. He is, has done, and still is doing wonders that marvels the common man. There are the wonders of His power, of grace; and His love for us. I am thankful that the Lord looked beyond my faults and saw my need. So therefore; I. I WILL SING A SONG OF PRAISE Psal 146:1,2 (NKJV) Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psal 149:1,2 (NKJV) Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, [And] His praise in the assembly of saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 1Pet 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1. God is worthy of our praise 2Sam 22:4 (NKJV) I will call upon the Lord, [who] [is] [worthy] to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. 2. God is glorified by our praise Psal 50:23 (NKJV) Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders [his] conduct [aright] I will show the salvation of God." 50:23 3. Praise was offered to Christ John 12:13 (NKJV) took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! `Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!" II. OUR PRAISE IS DUE TO GOD ON ACCOUNT OF; 1. His majesty Psal 96:1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psal 96:5,6 For all the gods of the peoples [are] idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty [are] before Him; Strength and beauty [are] in His sanctuary. 2. His excellency Exod 15:7 (NKJV) And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. 3. His greatness 1Chr 16:25 (NKJV) For the Lord [is] great and greatly to be praised; He [is] also to be feared above all gods. 4. His holiness Exod 15:11 (NKJV) "Who [is] like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who [is] like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? 5. His power Psal 21:13 (NKJV) Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. 6. His mercy 2Chr 20:21 (NKJV) And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the Lord, For His mercy [endures] forever." Psal 136:1 (NKJV) Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for [He] [is] good! For His mercy [endures] forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy [endures] forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy [endures] forever: To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy [endures] forever; To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy [endures] forever; To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy [endures] forever; 7. His salvation Psal 18:46 (NKJV) The Lord lives! Blessed [be] my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. 8. Fulfilling of his promises 1Kin 8:56 (NKJV) "Blessed [be] the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 9. Pardon of sin Psal 103:2-3 (NKJV) Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 10. Deliverance Psal 40:1-3 (NKJV) I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, [And] established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God; Many will see [it] and fear, And will trust in the Lord. 11. Protection Psal 28:7 (NKJV) The Lord [is] my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. 12. Answering prayer Isai 65:24 (NKJV) "It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 13. The hope of glory 1Pet 1:3,4 (NKJV) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, CONCLUSION This is my story, this is my song, and I'll continue to praise Him all the day long! In the good times praise His Name In the bad times do the same In everything give the King of Kings all praise. Pastor Danny Barker Abundant Life Church of God Covington, LA 70435 e-mail dannyb@nternet.com