“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
The word Praise means the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something. The Psalms that David wrote are filled with words of praise to the Lord, in appreciation for all His wonderful works and deeds. He found God worthy of all praise. Psalm 18:3 “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised.”
Sometimes our praise is a spontaneous overflow of joy in response to a blessing we have received, or when we consider how much God loves and cares for us. The words of a worship song may cause us to raise our hands and shout our praise to the One who has redeemed us. Often tears of joy will flow as we sense the presence of the Lord surrounding us.
Other times, our praise is disciplined and measured. When we are going through a time of trial or difficulty, we do not feel like praising the Lord. But we do so, anyway, because we know that He has not changed, that He loves us and is still worthy of our praise. As we begin to praise Him for all His goodness, and what He has done for us in the past, our burden lifts and we can see that beyond the storm clouds, He still reigns. Praise gives us strength and changes our perspective from worry to trust. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18
“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:1-6
Psalm 150 invites all the earth to enter the courts of God’s house with joyful songs.
“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5
Have you taken time to praise the Lord today? Whether life has us on a mountain or in the valley, God is still the same and He is worthy of our praise. If we are breathing, we have something for which to praise the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, we life our hearts and our voices in praise to you today, for Who you are, and all that you have done. You alone are worthy of our praise.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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