This past week I picked up an old publication that I used to read quite often when I first came to know Jesus. I found how true the “manna” of God’s Word is – fresh, timeless, and true. For me, this booklet was a word in season; it spoke about praising God.
I’ll admit that I’ve neglected praising the Lord as much as I could or should lately, probably because my tendency is to praise Jesus only when everything is okay. But Biblical praise is a sacrifice to the Lord because of who He is. You see, Christian, rejoicing is in the Lord, not in our circumstances.
I wonder if a key ingredient lacking in our Christian walk is that of praise and thanksgiving. The Bible says we are to give thanks both in and for everything. But you might question if this is sensible or even possible, and the answer is “Yes”, but only if you believe Romans 8:28: “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Remembering this will enable us to abound with thanksgiving, and pray with thanksgiving. Scripture indicates that Jesus gives special attention to the thankful person. Are you given to thankfulness and praise, my friend? The two go hand in hand.
We have so much to praise God for! Scripture says that He “daily loads us with benefits”. God’s “benefit program” dwarfs those offered by all the industries of the world combined! In fact, we could even add that His benefits to us are “out of this world”, for as 1 Cor 2:9 tells us: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
One of the signs of the last days is that men would become unthankful. My prayer is that we would re-kindle the flame of praise in our lives that made the early church so powerful. Their praise was continual.1
Praise is the language of heaven. Our Lord is great and greatly to be praised, and we are to give Him “the glory due His name”. Moreover, we should praise God for His Word with a fixed heart.
May we give endless praises to our King, because “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to (His) name”. It even pays to praise for “A merry heart does good, like medicine”, and His praise is your victory!
