Orange Moon Monday, March 25, 2024 "The Quiver, the Bow, the Arrow”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"The Quiver, the Bow, the Arrow"

      The Hebrew and Greek root words for praise are fascinating.  "Yada" of the Old Testament means to fire an arrow.  "Ainos of the New means to send a message.  Thus, in its most elemental meaning of directing praise to God, Scripture calls us to fire arrows of devoted affirmation and adoration into His heart.

    "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses." (Isaiah 63:7).

   This seems counterintuitive, of course, regarding our usual consideration of firing arrows.  In earthly terms, the action often involves bringing harm to others.  Spiritually, however, we use the quiver, the bow, and the arrow to communicate either directly with God or with others about God.  Thereby, we affirm who He is in character, nature, and way.  We launch a message based on the grateful realization of His glory and wonder, along with the affirmation that cannot fail to accompany any true contemplation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  "If there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

    God does not need our praise, of course, being completely fulfilled in His own triune nature of loving relationship.  We can be sure, however, that our arrows of appreciation do enter His heart to greatly bless it, even as praise passing within and through our hearts so greatly blesses us. "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).

   So many opportunities present themselves to pull particular arrows from the quiver of our heart, place them in the bow of our thoughts and words, and then consciously direct them into His heart.  He "is worthy to be praised," and believers are those made worthy in the Lord Jesus Christ to approach God with determination to affirm who He is (Psalm 18:3).  "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).  Indeed, in this moment we possess the means of sending a message toward Heaven to the Heart so deserving of affirmation, adoration, and acclamation.  Let us then access the quiver, load our bow, and fire the arrow of intelligent and sincere praise toward the God who will gladly serve as the target of our loving and grateful devotion.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord."

(Psalm 106:48)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

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