The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2 )
I have written before that praise of the Lord creates an atmosphere
the enemy cannot move through.
I firmly believe He created us for a deep and loving relationship
with Him. I also believe the natural outcome of truly knowing God is
praise. To me, it’s the only appropriate response given the power of
a God who created the heavens and the earth, the mountains and
the seas, the birds and fish, and us. And, this almighty, omniscient,
incredibly loving God was willing to take on flesh and die for us when
we were the ones who deserved the punishment.
Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. We could
never heal that relationship we broke when we decided we wanted
to be in charge and be gods ourselves. It wasn’t just Adam and Eve.
Each of us wants to do it our way. We’ve all wanted to be in charge.
We’ve all wanted to be our very own god.
The incredible love and mercy, the grace and kindness it took to be
tortured and beaten when He could have called ten thousand angels,
and then to hang on that cross and forgive the very ones who had
mocked Him and spit on Him is nothing short of flabbergasting.
Truly, He is worthy of praise.
Following are some passage of praise from His word. I hope they lift
your heart, encourage you, and equip you to be a shining light, a city
on a hill, and a powerful witness to the love of God.
Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the
assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of
Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness
and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all
that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom,
O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and
honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power
and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to
all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
(1 Chronicles 29:10-13 )
… Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to
everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above
all blessing and praise. (Nehemiah 9:5b )
Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your
power. (Psalm 21:13 )
You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify
him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 )
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will
praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:4 )
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
(Psalm 63:3 )
Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves
in them. (Psalm 69:34 )
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful
noise to him with songs of praise! (Psalm 95:2 )
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 115:18 )
At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.
(Psalm 119:62 )
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. (Psalm
119:164 )
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent
greatness! (Psalm 150:2 )
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,
for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in
pride he is able to humble. (Daniel 4:37 )
Today’s Praise:
His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
(Habakkuk 3:3b )
Next week:
Praise from the New Testament.