Worthy to Be Praised

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Worthy to Be Praised

These days,  probably more than ever,  great praise  is heaped  upon top athletes,  movie stars,  musicians,  political figures,  and even upon people  in our every day lives,  who have made  some wonderful accomplishments.

It feels good  to applaud their achievements  and cheer them on  to strive  for even greater goals.     But,  they are all human.     So,  many of these “stars”  in our lives  also become known  for their great failures  —  failures that are the result  of loving themselves  so much,  they’ll resort  to most anything  to stay on top  of it all  —  failures that are the result  of arrogance,  greediness,  and pride.

Many of their failures  bring public condemnation  and rejection.     Some failures  bring public curiosity  and a search for more fault finding  —  probably so that common people  can pat themselves  on the back,  for not having fallen  “like that”.

Whatever the case,  too much praise  is often given  to mere human beings.     People’s imaginations  create expectations  no human can achieve.     In the end,  many are hurt  and no one cares,  as they go on  to look for another “star”  in their life.

Such is  our sinful world.

But,  there is One  who truly is worthy  to be praised forever.     He is our Creator,  Redeemer,  LORD  and God.     He will never fail.     Everywhere we look around us  shows His power  and love  in all  of creation.     Looking back  through our lives,  we should see  how our LORD  has been kind,  patient,  and forgiving  with us.     Many times  God has helped us  when we were  in dire need  of His power  to rescue  and lead.

King David truly realized this  and knew how  to praise the LORD  because of His eternal worthiness  to be praised.     Many of David’s psalms  are a result  of knowing  how to praise God  for all He has done.     David listed all  that God did  for him  and proclaimed his love  and thanks  for everyone  to hear  down through the ages.

We need  to look  at David’s lists  and realize  how we,  too,  need to sing  as David did.    Psalm 18 is a good example  of David’s praise  when God rescued him  from Saul,  who was out  to kill him.     As David mentions  his enemies out  to get him,  we can compare that  to all the temptations  Satan sends our way,  with the full intention  of killing us eternally.     Only God  can save us  from such wickedness.

So,  let our hearts  rightfully give praise,  right along with David.    Psalm 18:1-6  begins David’s praise.

I love Thee,  O LORD,  my strength.      The LORD is my rock  and my fortress  and my deliverer,  my God,  my rock,  in whom  I take refuge;  my shield  and the horn  of my salvation,  my stronghold.

I call upon the LORD,  who is worthy  to be praised,  and I am saved  from my enemies.

The cords of death  encompassed me,  and the torrents  of ungodliness  terrified me.     The cords of Sheol  surrounded me;  the snares  of death  confronted me.     In my distress  I called  upon the LORD,  and cried  to my God  for help;  He heard my voice  out of His temple,  and my cry  for help  before Him  came into His ears.”

There is no other help  that can be compared  to the LORD’s help.     Absolutely everything else  is capable  of failing.     But,  the LORD  has been proven  to be worthy  of all our praise,  just because  He truly saves everyone  who turns  to Him.

That’s the point.     We do need  to turn  to the LORD  —  with praise  and thanksgiving  —  as we ask  for His help.

We can imagine David’s terror  as Saul  closed in  for the kill.     David’s prayer  for help  was filled with praise  and thanksgiving.

So also,  when we feel  the terror  of whatever “enemy” we have  to face,  we need  to praise the LORD,  as we ask  for His saving power,  and put our trust  in the LORD’s promised love  for us.

None of us  can ever  be “worthy”  of the LORD’s saving help,  but David knows  the reality  of that also.     In verses 31-32,   David makes sure  everyone knows how  even he  can remain confident  in the LORD.     He says,

For who is God,  but the LORD?     And who is a rock,  except our God,  the God  who girds me  with strength,  and makes   my way  blameless?

As we repent,  God forgives  and makes us blameless  in His eyes.     Then,  He helps us  with His almighty power.     What more  could we ask?

It is time  to say,  “Hallelujah!     The LORD  is worthy  to be praised.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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