Joshua Grubbs
Praise the LORD!
The Psalms have many themes, but one that always sticks out to me is the simple command to praise God. There are numerous Psalms that include this idea, and it would be a task too great for this devotion to try and outline them all. Whenever I read through the book of the Psalms (something I would encourage you to try and do at least once a year) three always stick out to me: 111, 112, and 113. Each of these Psalms begins with that simple phrase, “Praise the LORD!” Clearly this idea, or requirement, was at the forefront of those writing these Psalms and many others.
The Lord, our God, is worthy of praise. There are, of course, some forms of praise that we all do as Christians. We thank God. We sing songs and hymns to God. Simply enough, we even actually say, “praise you God,” which certainly fits the bill. But each of us, you and me, were created uniquely by God with unique gifts that we bring to the whole Church.
Paul outlines this idea in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. He says, “…God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose,” and “the members of the body that seem weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor…” and so on. Paul is clear that the body of Christ is full of unique, and equally valued, people.
If we are equally valued in the eyes of God, then our praise, which is also unique, is valuable before God. We cry out, as in Revelation 5:12, “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing,” in our own ways. Even the fact that we are unique is worthy of praising God according to Psalm 139:14!
All these facts point to one question; how are you going to praise God today? You have the opportunity each day to praise God in only the way that you can. I am thankful every time I can use the gift of my ability to write to praise God, not only in these devotions but in every assignment that comes across my desk.
I can’t do math worth a lick, but maybe you’re an accountant who praises God by ensuring that books are balanced and money is used properly. Maybe you work as a teacher, and you praise God by leading your students with love and kindness. Maybe you’re a construction worker, and you praise God by producing high-quality work with intentionality. Maybe you praise God by keeping the home, caring for an aging family member, or helping with a newly born one.
The ways that we can praise God, not only with our words but with our lives, are boundless. He is worthy of praise. He has gifted us uniquely with skills and proficiencies that we can turn back into rejoicing and thankfulness to Him. The choice is not if we praise God, but how we praise God.
So, how are you going to join the Psalmists today and praise the Lord?
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