The Psalmist
takes time to praise the Lord and commands his soul not to
forget all that God has done in his life. He takes time out to
acknowledge that God is the source of all blessings. Blessings
are not because of the people that we know or the titles that we
hold, our pedigree, the amount of funds in our bank accounts, or
the number of degrees that we may possess; but, true blessings
come from God.
The children of
Israel
constantly forgot the source of their blessings and repeatedly
forsook the God of their salvation. Even today, as soon as God
extends his hand of mercy, some persons go right back to the
same ungodly behaviors that God delivered them from including
worshipping their material possessions. Some persons still
believe that the make and model of their cars makes them more
blessed than others, or the neighborhoods that they live in, the
size of their homes and the square footage of their rooms makes
them highly favored by God. However, the Psalmist speaks to us
from a more spiritual perspective and reminds us that the
benefits of knowing and being in Christ, and all that Christ has
done for us is more precious than diamonds, rubies, gold, or any
material possessions.
You may have no
money in your pocket, live in a one room shack, just lost your
job, struggling in these tough economic times to make ends meet,
trouble in your way; but, just like David, you can still take
time to praise the Lord. The Psalmist shouts, Praise is What I
Do, and here’s why:
Verse 3 says He
forgiveth all your inequity. That’s shouting ground
right there! The adversary constantly tries to accuse, slander
and defame in an effort to make you feel insignificant and
worthless, unlike God who is slow to anger and abounding in
mercy. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and
purify us of all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
Praise God for
He healeth all your diseases. Acknowledge that every
healing, physical, emotional, and spiritual comes from God. He
is the physician of our souls.
Why Do I Praise
Him?
He redeemed
my life from a horrible pit, and saved me from destruction. Our
God is just, He is not unfair. He is for the oppressed
and will be the one to restore true justice on the earth. When
the enemies of my soul came in like a flood to eat up my flesh,
God was right there standing in the gap prepared to rise up a
standard against every attack.
Praise is what
I do, because after God picks me up and delivers me from the
pit, He crowns me with loving kindness and tender
mercies. In other words, He treats me like royalty, like
family, with open arms, just as a father would treat His child.
He shelters me from the storm and feeds me with manna from on
high, just as a shepherd feeds his sheep.
Praise is what
I do, because He satisfies my desires with good things.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good and his mercies
are everlasting! He takes what the enemy means for evil and
turns it around for good and for His glory.
Praise Him when
I feel lower than a footprint, He speaks peace to me and
renews my strength so that I can fly on wings as an eagle,
run on and not grow weary, walk, and not faint.
Praise is what
I do! God forgives, heals, redeems,
crowns, satisfies, and renews.
He involves the mind, body, and soul. He is an
inclusive God. Praise Him for if it had not been for the
Lord on my side…
Praise the
Lord, He is our example of how to handle temptations and trials,
how to handle those who refuse to receive you, that it is okay
to shake the dust off your feet as a testimony… and move
forward. Praise Him because He showed us how to love one
another, even our enemies.
Praise Him for
every victory that He’s won victory over sin, death, hell and
the grave.
Praise him
because God did not leave us as orphans, be we have a comforter
and helper who walks with us and talks with us, the blessed Holy
Ghost.
All of these
blessing come from God. During this Lenten Season, do not
forget, as the Psalmist urges us, all that Christ has done for
us. Jesus came that we might have life and life
more abundantly.
Praise him for
who He is. He is the Creator of all things. It is in Him that
we move; it is in Him that we breathe, it is in Him that we have
our being. Praise Him!
Bless the Lord,
Oh my soul!
Is He worthy?
Rev. 4:11
You are worthy,
Oh Lord,
To receive glory and honor and
Power;
For you created all things
And by Your will they exist and were created.
