Praise!

Praise!

From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised! Psalm 113:3 AMPC

The Context and Focus:

It is not indicated who wrote the words of this psalm, but the message in the psalm couldn't be clearer. As you read the entire chapter from which the verse above is taken, the key word that runs through the 9 verses is PRAISE. In fact, the same expression: 'Praise ye the Lord' starts and ends the chapter, underscoring the importance of the word 'praise'. What would this word mean? Interestingly, the word is defined as both a noun and a verb. Open sources define praise as to 'express warm approval or admiration of...'  or to 'express one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song'. As you can see from the definitions above, it appears it is impossible to truly praise in silence and inaction. There must be an outward or visible or audible expression that will be defined as praise. It is also defined as 'the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something' or the 'expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship'. It is clear from the above that true praise can only flow from a source that fully understands what it is doing, and to whom it is being offered. 

The Message:

That is quite important: know the One you seek to offer praise to. Men may seek the glory but the nature of man is such that he is temporal and earthly. There is very little store you can place next to a man's promise, because you can only demand from him based on what he has at the moment, or whether he is even alive to give it. Man may seek praise for himself, but it is obvious that no man can by himself guarantee he will see the next minute, unless God makes it so. If I will offer true praise, I have to first settle in my heart what I have been called to give, and to whom the quality offering is to be made. A lack of knowledge or information about this God can lead to doing things the wrong way, and there is usually a huge price to pay for that. When I have come to know the God who calls me to himself, then I can offer him quality praise. True praise flows from a totally surrendered heart. True praise comes from a heart that does not need to be cajoled or begged; it knows who God is, what He has done in the past, and the amazing things He can still do in the future. Have you met this God?

The Conclusion:

Out of the many reasons why I need to praise God, one is given on today's verse. It is because of the consistency, faithfulness and dependability of God. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West; at least, that is what science has taught us. Till today, there has not been anything to disprove this. From the days of Noah, just as God said then, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night have not ceased. The cycle of life continues to operate as God planned it, and no one is powerful enough to change whatever God has established by His power. As one part of the world wakes up the rising sun, another part is preparing to go to sleep. Only once from bible records did the sun fail to go down when it should, but the earth remains in place, just as God wants it to be right now. This is the consistency that gives me hope. This is the nature of God that makes him trustworthy, and helps me commit my life to God totally. I can praise Him with my whole heart, because I have seen Him at work. Do I need any reason to praise God, apart from the above? I sit down and consider all I am, have received and become, and where I know God is taking me to, and all I can do is PRAISE GOD. That is all that matters. God's time of favour is here.