The word “praise” appears many, many times in the bible. It is fitting to praise our God and sing for joy to Him (Psalm 33:1). For the Lord is great and deserving of much praise (Psalm 48:1). So, my response should be to sing and praise Him for as long as I live, even to my very last breath (Psalm 104:33)!
Thanking God for my blessings takes my mind off of the daily worries that can easily sneak up on me. Thinking of Him lifts my mood. Thinking of me leaves me prone to fear and anxiety. Praising reminds me to look at God much more often than I look at myself, for He has all the answers and I only have questions.
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Why Should I Praise God?
1. You Are Made New with a Brand New Perspective on Life
Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again (John 3:1-8). And when I believed in God’s one and only Son, I was born again too. I became a new person in my heart and soul (2 Corinthians 5:17). I was given a new heart and a new spirit to replace my old stubborn stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26). I got a new chance to start over, this time with the Holy Spirit’s help.
I will praise the Lord for new chances each and every day.
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2. I Am Humbled at What Jesus Did for My Salvation
Jesus gave up His divine privileges and took the humble position of a slave. He became human and although He was innocent and sin-free, He died a criminal’s death on that cross (Philippians 2:6-8). He did all of that for you and me because there was no other way for any of us to be accepted into heaven. He paid the price for us. But we must believe in His mercy and greatness.
I will praise the Lord for His ultimate sacrifice.
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3. My Weaknesses Help Me to See His Strength
I am full of weaknesses. I make mistakes all of the time. But when I admit that, God can work through me. If I feel like I have all the answers, people will run from my boasting. However, I can feel very weak and show up nervous and scared. The key idea here is that I show up anyway. That is when God’s Spirit works through my efforts.
Boasting of my strength and abilities says to God, “I’m okay. I’ve got this.” If we don’t feel we need Him, He’ll let us go ahead with our meager plans. But, on the other hand, when I go forward, shaking, and asking Him to help me along the way, that’s when He shows up big time!
His grace is all I need. His power works best in my weakness. So, I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
I will praise Him when I feel weak.
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4. I Am Thankful for Everything God Does
I see every blessing as coming from the hand of God and each trial has the possibility of working for my good. God made the heavens and the earth. He provides rain and sunshine. He brings justice to the oppressed. He feeds the hungry. He even opens the eyes of the blind. I see His glorious work all around me.
He also cares for my mental and spiritual health. He lifts the heavy weight of my anxieties from my back. He heals my broken heart. He bandages my spiritual wounds. He supports me when I humbly look to Him.
I can ask Him for anything. He will always give me what I need and sometimes even the things I want. He will never grow weary of my asking. He delights when I put my hope in His unfailing love.
I will praise the Lord for EVERYTHING!
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5. I Was Born to Praise the Lord
I was born to praise Him! Everyone has an innate sense of God. Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky which clearly point to the eternal power of God (Romans 1:19-20). I was born with this wonder inside of me. Then as I grew and experienced the beautifully intricate nature of my complex body, I saw such marvelous workmanship that had to have come from a great Creator (Psalm 139:13-14).
There is a hole in my heart that only God can fill. As Blaise Pascal put it:
What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.
I have searched for people, places, and things to bring me happiness. Although those things may be good, they can’t bring me true, lasting happiness. Happiness based on externals fades over time.
But God wants me to have more than just happiness in good circumstances. He wants me to have eternal joy that never fades. This joy is inexpressible and glorious and continues even in the midst of the various trials of life. It’s a supernatural knowing that God is with me through it all. When I look to God all my life, I will be radiant with joy, with no shame darkening my face (Psalm 34:5). Yes, joyful am I when God is my Lord (Psalm 144:15).
I will praise the Lord because I can’t not praise Him.
Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! ~ Psalm 117
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. ~ Psalm 34:3
I may be in the middle of the trials and tribulations of this imperfect life, but I have read the end of the story. I know that one day perfection will be restored because sin will be no more. I will see His face and there will be no more night. The Lord God will be my Light and He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22). Knowing the end of the story makes it even easier to praise God.
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