Praise, Praise And More Praise

Years ago, two masked thieves quietly entered a church as the pastor offered the invocation. Immediately after he said, “Amen,” they shouted, “Everyone keep standing, raise your hands toward heaven and sing ‘My Hope is Built on Christ Alone’ as though your life depended on it. ‘Cause it does.”

With the worshipers’ hands held high, the thieves were able to go through pockets and purses at a rapid pace. After they were finished and fled from the church, the minister of music said in a trembling voice, “I’m sure that God heard us sing that song of hope this morning as we’ve never sung it before!”

 The hope that we have in and from God must always be in our hearts and on our lips. Unfortunately, when our days are trouble free and uncontested, we seem to forget the importance of hope, and the blessings that come with it. However, the hope we have in Him and because of Him should fill our hearts with praise for His grace at all times. Hear the words of the Psalmist: “Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live!” Praise was as natural as breathing, and he did not need special days or favors to praise God. Every day was a day to praise God.

 In good times or hard times, the Psalmist joyfully expressed his gratitude to God for everything. “All my life…as long as I live…I will praise Him!”

Good days or bad days, joyous days or painful days, “smiley face days” or tear-filled days: Praise Him!

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to constantly raise our voices in grateful praise to You. In good and challenging times, we praise You for Your never-ending blessings! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2