Praise!

Praise!

From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the Lord is to be praised [with awe-inspired reverence]. Psalms 113:3 AMP

The first 3 verses of today's extract speaks about the name of the Lord. What's in a name, you may ask? Actually, a lot. We see God giving names to some children, long before they were conceived, or we see God speaking about the life-purpose of a child about to be born. The same thing was done in the case of Jesus: his name as well as the purpose of His life was made clear, long before Mary conceived Him.

And the name continues to make ripples all over the world. Men come to salvation just by calling on that name. Mighty things have happened and are still happening, all because of that name. Philippians 2 speaks about the name that has been given to Jesus which is above every other name, and a name to which all knees will bow, either by free will or compulsion. That is the name that is the focus of today's extract. 

And today's extract looks at this name and my reaction to it from many perspectives. It could speak to time of day: early in the morning when the sun rises till evening when it sets, or it could speak to location and places: from one end of the earth to the other opposite, or it could speak to seasons and times. Whatever your view is, one thing is clear: the name of the Lord deserves to be praised. All around you, you can see His mighty works and his glorious strength made manifest. You cannot take that name for granted, and you cannot treat that name with disdain. 

God calls me to know Him, and I can only do that if I seek Him out daily. The more of Him I know, the more of Him I reverence. The more of Him I reverence, the more of Him I can praise. Unless the value of someone or something is recognized, familiarity or abuse becomes inevitable. God, teach me to recognize your power, might and mercy and teach me how to praise you acceptably. His time of favour is here.