There is nothing more soothing to our souls than to acknowledge God for who He is. It always seems to put us in our proper place, doesn’t it? It brings back into focus that it’s really NOT about us at all, it’s about Him and His glory. Everything He does is for His name’s sake.
As I have spent time with the Lord this week, I am reminded of how important it is to praise Him and reflect on His character. It’s not because He is an insecure God who needs us to tell Him how good He is. It’s because He is worthy! In our humanity, coupled with the world we live in, we forget sometimes that He is mighty and majestic and far beyond our comprehension. When we praise Him, it sets our sights on HIM and not on ourselves.
Psalm 104 gives us an example of taking our eyes off of our circumstances or surroundings and placing them solely on the greatness of the Lord. It is a Psalm of praise and adoration. Verse after verse it talks about the strength and wonder of the Lord God Most High.
“O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothes with honor and majesty. Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment. Who stretch our the heavens like a curtain.” (v. 1-2)
“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions–” (v. 24)
“May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works. He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” ( v. 31-35)
Often times, in “dark days” or hard times, people turn to the Book of Psalms. There is a reason for that! It is FULL of His praises and declarations of how GOOD and FAITHFUL God is. Don’t get me wrong, not every single verse in all 150 psalms leaves us with warm fuzzies! 🙂 One of the overall themes of the book, however, is PRAISE. David, who wrote a majority of the book, understood the importance of praising God. In the midst of battle, in the midst of trials, in the midst of being faced with his own sinfulness, in the midst of his reign, in the midst of his own power and the demands from his kingdom, in the midst of good times, joy, success, favor, victories, and all that he went through. He praised God. David shared his emotions with God. When he was angry, he told God. When he was distraught, he cried out to Him. When he was afraid, he sought the Lord. Each time, He was comforted by the power and character of His God who is strong and just, yet merciful and forgiving. He understood that God was and IS on the throne.
Always and forever.
He reigns.
Praise His Holy Name!!
(Much love from Swaziland!!)
