Purposing to Praise
Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever. Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is far greater than the heavens. Psalm 113:1-4
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This psalm is a call to praise the Lord at all times and places in the world. What a God we serve! Although he is enthroned in heaven, high above the nations, he comes down to earth to provide comfort and save the oppressed. God is worthy of our praise. Do you find it difficult to praise God today? Do you just not feel thankful? Tell him about your feelings, your problems, and even your difficulty in praising him. Ask him for the grace to praise him in the midst of your circumstances. Read this psalm aloud as your sacrifice of praise. There is praise in heaven all the time, and when we purpose to reach beyond our problems to enter into that praise, God’s grace is there to usher us in. We can experience being lifted above our problems because of the vital force that praise is. As you praise God from your heart, he will direct your eyes from the troubles on earth to the glory and sufficiency of our King and Lord, and you will gain God’s eternal perspective to face the difficulties in your life.
Prayers:
I GIVE YOU PRAISE, LORD, for you are high above the nations and your glory is beyond anything else in earth or heaven. I lift up your mighty name and praise you for who you are. Grant me grace to worship you from my heart. Add my praise to those always going on in heaven. Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever. Praise the name of the Lord!
Quotes:
To give thanks when you don’t feel like it is not hypocrisy; it’s obedience.
Dr. Jack Mitchell
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 31:1–32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1–114:8 and Proverbs 27:18-20.
