This past Sunday, we took communion at church. As I slowed down and stepped away from all the busyness to focus on Jesus and what He did for me, I was just in awe and I feel like we need to take some time here to proclaim the goodness of God and exalt Him. To tell of His works.
Last week I mentioned praising God even when I am overwhelmed. This turns my eyes back to my source of hope when my eyes have strayed. It helps begin to put my sometimes chaotic, or fearful, or overwhelmed mind to rights. It reminds me of who God is and the power He has, and it reminds me of who I am and that I belong to Him. Offering praise to God, especially when we don’t feel like we can, when we feel overwhelmed, is a powerful thing. It turns our eyes to the source of our power and defeats the enemy and sends him running.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15, AMP
I call on the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:4, AMP
God is worthy of our praise. Even if He never did another thing for us, He is worthy. Just for the incredible fact alone, that He sent His only Son to die for us so that we could be with Him, so that we could be set free, He is worthy.
Think about what that means for a minute. If you are a Christian, He pursued you, He chose you to be His. For that wonderful blessing alone, we should be praising Him, honoring Him. He didn’t give up on us. He didn’t walk away. Instead He took the time to pursue us, to woo us, to show us the depths of His love. How incredible is that! Are you His and is He yours? Then you have something to praise Him about.
Even beyond that is the reality that He deserves our praise no matter what we perceive He has done or not done for us, just because of who He is. He is God alone!
Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness or in holy array. Psalm 29:2, AMP
God calls on us to exalt His name, to tell of His wondrous works, the things He has done for us. Let’s praise Him. Let’s focus on praising Him, on His goodness, specifically to us.
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19, AMP
He IS the Great I Am. He is everything we need. He is our rock. He is our shepherd. He is our provider. He is our comfort. He is our guide. He is all that we need. Who has He been to you when you needed Him most?
Sometimes it’s not easy to praise Him. Sometimes we feel lost or overwhelmed, but that doesn’t change the fact that He’s worthy. And sometimes we offer distracted, unfocused praise. We need to choose to praise Him. To be purposeful, intentional about it. He is so deserving and worthy of our praise. Turn your eyes upon Him. Give Him honor and glory. Think about the things He’s done for you. Think about how you are praising Him. Don’t let it be some haphazard, unfocused thing that you don’t really mean.
God’s Word is a powerful tool in helping us to praise Him. Read through the Psalms and intentionally praise Him through the words you read that bring glory and honor to Him, to His name.
We take refuge in Him by praising Him and allowing His presence and His glory to surround us. He lifts our heads for us when we praise Him. Consciously choose to praise Him, to turn your eyes on Him. Let His goodness wash over you as you praise Him.
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3, AMP
So, let’s tell of His glory, His might, His power, His strength! Let’s declare to the world His goodness and His good works! Share in the comments below what He has done for you, who He has been to you, how He has met your greatest need, how He has lifted you up. Share verses of scripture that declare His goodness and His wonderful works.
I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4, AMP
Redeemed Hope Dweller 