Give Praise
This is one of my favorite devotional readings of all time written by my good friend,
Beth Miller.
Enjoy!
Table decor, a la Mischelle Dean
Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name. — Psalm 103:1
And suddenly there appeared with the angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God — Luke 2:13
“Oh Lord, You are my God, I will exalt You. I will praise your name for you have done wonderful things, even purposes planned of old (and fulfilled) in faithfulness and truth. — Isaiah 25:1
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.” — Luke 1:68
“... in everything give praise for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
There are at least 185 instances in which the Bible records the word praise. My research shows the King James version uses the word 214 times. Of course I am not going to write them all here because Bible Gateway has done that. I encourage you to check them out.
Praise is an expression of gratitude, respect, thankfulness and blessing. To praise Yahweh is to call attention to His glory - to honor and extol and exalt. We are commanded to praise Yahweh.
“Oh, praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him all you people! For His mercy and lovingkindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” — Psalm 117
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, praise Him in the assembly of his saints. Let Israel rejoice in Him, their maker. Let Zion’s children triumph and be joyful in their King! Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with dance; let them sing praises to him with tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the afflicted ones with victory. Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty; let them sing for joy on their beds” - Psalm 149:1-5
Praise changes us. How powerful that this duty and delight refocuses our affections, realigns our priorities and restores our souls.
How wonderful it is that we can come to our creator at any moment of emotion because He is a God of unmerited favor. Come to Him because He is full of loving kindness and He considers us as righteous because of Yeshua.
“The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” — 2 Samuel 22:47 and Psalm 18:46
“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to God while I have my being. Let my meditation be pleasing to Him.” — Psalm 104:33
“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” — Hebrews 13:15
There are many acceptable ways to praise. One can sit or stand, kneel or bow, lay prostrate on the ground, walk or run, dance or raise one’s hands. One can whisper or shout, sing or make music with instruments. One can praise upon rising in the morning, while working, resting or going to sleep. One can praise alone, with a few others or with the assembly. One can praise in joy and in sweat and in tears. One can praise when filled with excitement and while in mourning and grief.
Give praise for the sun that glows.
Give praise for the dark of night.
Give praise for the snow that falls.
Give praise for the snow that melts.
Give praise for refreshing clean water.
Give praise for the plants that provide
beauty and sustain life.
Give praise for abundance.
Give praise during times of lack.
Give praise for the assembly.
Give praise for solitude.
Give praise for traveling.
Give praise as you stay at home
Give praise for work.
Give praise for sabbath.
Give praise for the birth of a child.
Give praise as they grow up.
Give praise for life.
Give praise during death and dying.
Give praise for needs.
Give praise for fulfillment.
Give praise for burdens.
Give praise for comfort.
Give praise for the battle.
Give praise for the victory.
Give praise for the defeat.
Give praise for pain.
Give praise for compassion.
Give praise for healing.
Give praise for scars.
Give praise for the written word.
Give praise for silence.
Give praise for sight.
Give praise for innocence.
Give praise for today.
Give praise, for His love endures forever.
Give praise, for unto us a child was born.
Give praise, He grew and found favor with God and with men.
Give praise, He gave His life on the cross.
Give praise, He was buried.
Give praise, He was resurrected on the third day.
Give praise, He ascended into heaven.
Give praise, He called you by name and you have everlasting life in Him.
“Blessed be the Lord forever and forever. Amen” — Psalm 89:52
“... that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” — 1 Peter 4:11 b
With love,
Beth Miller
