Everyday Praise

Friday, August 23, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading: Psalm 116-118 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Everyday Praise

Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she wonderful?

Isn't she precious?

These are lyrics written by Stevie Wonder after the birth of his daughter in 1975. He could not help singing her praises and asking fans to join in his celebration.

C.S. Lewis wrote:

"I think we delight in praising what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment;...the delight is incomplete till it is expressed."

John Piper says: "There is the answer — the solution in God's demanding us to praise him! It is a demand for our greatest happiness."

We sit down to eat and someone says, "Wow, that's good!" Someone else walks outdoors and says, "What a beautiful day!". This is simply 'giving praise' for enjoyment.

When was the last time you gave praise for the simple things around you like good food or great weather or music?

Why is it so hard for some to really praise God? We don't have trouble talking about good food.

There it is, I think. We praise food because we are sitting over a full plate with our mouths full-experiencing satisfying flavors. Think about this. We go to lunch at our church on the third Sunday after church and we know the food is going to be great-prepared by loving hands and hearts and we are with people we enjoy and, sure enough, the food is great and so we say so.

We have been given the right to be called a child of the Living God(John 1:12).

We have been given access to God:

Ephesians 2:18 "for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father."

Hebrews 10:19 "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus..."

Psalm 116: 5 "Adonai is merciful and righteous;

yes, our God is compassionate."

Lack of spontaneous praise must mean that we are not looking forward to the next minute with God where we experience over and over how gracious and loving He is because we are not conscious of this truth right now.

Stop-think on God and His love for you-be still and know God...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Merciful, righteous, and compassionate God, my Lord, let me feel Your heavenly reality in my heart and mind. Forgive me my sin so I can experience Your greatness. Let me have what I need for this day and lead me in Your paths of righteousness.

God of generous dealings,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen