Just Praise
Focus Scripture:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together." — Psalm 34:1-3 (NKJV)
Introduction:
Looking around in this present day, there are plenty of reasons to become frustrated, disappointed, worried, and hopeless. However, none of those emotions should describe the heart of the believer. We look at life with a different perspective — the perspective of praise. David says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” This means no matter the circumstance, praise is our response.
Perhaps you may not understand the priority of praise, the reason why we do it. That’s why in this week of prayer & devotion, we will focus on five reasons why we should praise God. Jesus declared that whatever is in the mouth reveals what’s in the heart. Therefore, the best thing to have in our mouths is praise unto God. The news and social media rehearse the problems of this world day and night. But you’re not like the world, you have another perspective—the perspective of praise. Don’t rehearse your problems, rehearse your praise. #JustPraise
Perhaps you may not understand the priority of praise, the reason why we do it. That’s why in this week of prayer & devotion, we will focus on five reasons why we should praise God. Jesus declared that whatever is in the mouth reveals what’s in the heart. Therefore, the best thing to have in our mouths is praise unto God. The news and social media rehearse the problems of this world day and night. But you’re not like the world, you have another perspective—the perspective of praise. Don’t rehearse your problems, rehearse your praise. #JustPraise
This Week's Devotionals
Day 1: He's Worthy
In John’s revelation, he describes a place in Heaven where the worship of the King is never-ending. There are four beasts that give God glory and thanks continually. Their praise triggers the praise of twenty-four elders. John says, “They lay their crowns before the throne…” — this means they take a posture of humility. Those elders then say this: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:9-11).
The first reason we praise God is very simply, He’s worthy. He’s worthy in Heaven and He’s worthy here on Earth. He’s worthy on Sunday, He’s worthy on Monday. He’s worthy in the church, He’s worthy in our homes. God is worthy, always. In view of Revelation 4:9-11, it only makes sense why David would say “I will bless the Lord at all times,” he is only rehearsing what’s happening in Heaven at any given moment. We too should adopt the same posture of heart and give God praise.
This week, I encourage you to rehearse your praise. Rehearse simply means to do it again. I know you gave God praise yesterday during your worship service, but I encourage you to do it again. Praise God again. No matter the circumstance, just praise Him. He’s worthy!
The first reason we praise God is very simply, He’s worthy. He’s worthy in Heaven and He’s worthy here on Earth. He’s worthy on Sunday, He’s worthy on Monday. He’s worthy in the church, He’s worthy in our homes. God is worthy, always. In view of Revelation 4:9-11, it only makes sense why David would say “I will bless the Lord at all times,” he is only rehearsing what’s happening in Heaven at any given moment. We too should adopt the same posture of heart and give God praise.
This week, I encourage you to rehearse your praise. Rehearse simply means to do it again. I know you gave God praise yesterday during your worship service, but I encourage you to do it again. Praise God again. No matter the circumstance, just praise Him. He’s worthy!
Day 2: He's Working
The second reason why we should praise God is because He’s working. Many scriptures in the Bible reveal this, but in his letter to the church in Rome, Paul pens a verse that’s been used famously to remind us of this truth. It reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). This means at all times, in every moment, God is working on your behalf. You may not be able to see it, may not understand it, but He is working. God is diligently at work, causing every detail of your life to work together for your good.
Imagine if you approached every situation with the ultimate truth that God is working. How would that remove the stress in your heart if you remembered He’s working? In your relationships, He’s working. In your business, He’s working! In your health, He’s working! God is working! Therefore, don’t worry, just praise! He’s worthy and He’s working. In fact, God is working on you. One of the most amazing things He does is use our trials to work on us. In the middle of your challenges, God is perfecting you—maturing you for your future.
Imagine if you approached every situation with the ultimate truth that God is working. How would that remove the stress in your heart if you remembered He’s working? In your relationships, He’s working. In your business, He’s working! In your health, He’s working! God is working! Therefore, don’t worry, just praise! He’s worthy and He’s working. In fact, God is working on you. One of the most amazing things He does is use our trials to work on us. In the middle of your challenges, God is perfecting you—maturing you for your future.
Day 3: He’s Loving
God loves you. It’s true. I’m not sure what you may have heard or what was said to you in your past or what you’ve thought in your mind, but this truth trumps every thought—God loves you. He always has and He always will.
As a child growing up in the church, we would often tease one another when one would lie or do something wrong by responding with a dramatic statement such as, “Let me back up! God is going to strike you down right there!” As strong of language it is, this is how we spoke to one another, and it was an expression of our blind understanding of who God was. God is not looking for a reason to end our lives, instead it’s His desire that we might have life—life more abundantly (John 10:10). He is the God of love. He finds every way to express His love for us. Even correction is an expression of the love of the Father for His child (Proverbs 3:12).
There are two scriptures I’d like to share with you that describes the endless love of God:
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever his faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 100:5 NIV
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” — Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
God’s love is eternal. It never stops and it never quits. He loves you the same yesterday as He does today. The truth is there’s nothing you can do that can stop God from loving you. Today, I encourage you to simply praise God for His love.
As a child growing up in the church, we would often tease one another when one would lie or do something wrong by responding with a dramatic statement such as, “Let me back up! God is going to strike you down right there!” As strong of language it is, this is how we spoke to one another, and it was an expression of our blind understanding of who God was. God is not looking for a reason to end our lives, instead it’s His desire that we might have life—life more abundantly (John 10:10). He is the God of love. He finds every way to express His love for us. Even correction is an expression of the love of the Father for His child (Proverbs 3:12).
There are two scriptures I’d like to share with you that describes the endless love of God:
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever his faithfulness continues through all generations.” — Psalm 100:5 NIV
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” — Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
God’s love is eternal. It never stops and it never quits. He loves you the same yesterday as He does today. The truth is there’s nothing you can do that can stop God from loving you. Today, I encourage you to simply praise God for His love.
Day 4: He’s Faithful
God is faithful. This means, He’s trustworthy and reliable. You can trust God and you can rely on Him like no one else in this world. God’s faithfulness is incomparable. If you were to put your faith in me, it’s likely that I will fall short in some way, at some point, and this may disappoint you. Yet, this is a result of my imperfect nature. However, when it comes to God, He is perfect. No matter what day it is or the challenge you face, you can always trust and rely on God because He is faithful.
While there are many, there are three areas I’d like to identify where God is faithful.
Throughout this day, meditate on the faithfulness of God. In this acknowledgement, you will be empowered to praise God for his faithfulness.
While there are many, there are three areas I’d like to identify where God is faithful.
- Faithful to Forgive. 1 John 1:9 NIV says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Perhaps you’ve done something that you believed was unforgiveable. Know today, that God is faithful to forgive you.
- Faithful to Provide. Psalm 37:25 NIV says “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
- Faithful to Remain. 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV says “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” If we stop trusting in God, if we stop believing in Him, He won’t become faithless towards us. Instead, He will remain faithful because he cannot deny Himself. Every time you look in the mirror, you are looking at the image of God. You were made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). Know this also: God will never leave you, nor forsake you. No matter what you’ve faced, He’s always been right there because He is faithful.
Throughout this day, meditate on the faithfulness of God. In this acknowledgement, you will be empowered to praise God for his faithfulness.
Day 5: He’s Able
God is able. He’s able because He is capable and there is nothing too hard for Him. Apostle Paul clearly stated this in his letter to the church in Ephesus where he said, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV).
What I love about the this particular translation is the language that’s used to describe God’s ability. It says He’s able to do immeasurably more! This means that we can’t even fathom what God can do in situation you’re facing. Maybe you thought the marriage was over, God says “I can do more!” Possibly you were thinking when it comes to your health, you should just throw in the towel. God says “I have more work for you to do!” You may have hit a wall and feel that there’s nothing else you can do, but God is saying He can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. Don’t ever put another limit on God’s ability. Did you think your last victory was your greatest victory? No! God says “I can do more!”
In the New International Version, it says “Now to him…” However, I appreciate that the King James Version says “Now unto him…” When we say this, it means that we’re going to surrender this matter to God. I’m going to release this to God. I’m going to give this to God. Because it’s too much for me, it’s bigger and greater than me. When David faced Goliath, it was clear that Goliath was too big for him and possessed more experience than him in fighting. However, David knew that that this wasn’t his fight. He would not win by sword nor by spear but by God’s power! When the problem is too big for you, don’t hide in fear! Give God praise! When we praise God, we give our problems to the One who is able to solve them! God is able and He’s capable, therefore just praise!
What I love about the this particular translation is the language that’s used to describe God’s ability. It says He’s able to do immeasurably more! This means that we can’t even fathom what God can do in situation you’re facing. Maybe you thought the marriage was over, God says “I can do more!” Possibly you were thinking when it comes to your health, you should just throw in the towel. God says “I have more work for you to do!” You may have hit a wall and feel that there’s nothing else you can do, but God is saying He can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. Don’t ever put another limit on God’s ability. Did you think your last victory was your greatest victory? No! God says “I can do more!”
In the New International Version, it says “Now to him…” However, I appreciate that the King James Version says “Now unto him…” When we say this, it means that we’re going to surrender this matter to God. I’m going to release this to God. I’m going to give this to God. Because it’s too much for me, it’s bigger and greater than me. When David faced Goliath, it was clear that Goliath was too big for him and possessed more experience than him in fighting. However, David knew that that this wasn’t his fight. He would not win by sword nor by spear but by God’s power! When the problem is too big for you, don’t hide in fear! Give God praise! When we praise God, we give our problems to the One who is able to solve them! God is able and He’s capable, therefore just praise!
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