Greatly to Be Praised

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Greatly to Be Praised

God is praised  in so many ways,  and much of the time,  when we’re rather  “down-in-the-mouth”  about things,  we don’t even know it.     Of course,  all the angels and the saints in heaven  are praising the LORD.     We won’t get  to see or hear that  until we get there.     But,  there is praise all around us  that we often don’t pay attention to.     Flowers in bloom,  with their fragile beauty give praise  with their beauty and fragrance.     Birds of all sorts  flit around  with the wonder of flight  and feats of aerodynamics.     The vast variety of mammals  that widely differ in size,  appearance,  habits,  and purpose  display to us the wonder  of God’s wisdom.     All of the stars  that keep their orbits  and shine out songs of praise  about God’s power  have a way of making us realize  how small we are  in the scheme of things.    And, that brings about  a sense of humble praise  to the Creator of all things.

As the psalmist thought  about these sorts of things,  he wrote  in Psalm 96:1-6,

Sing to the LORD  a new song;    
Sing to the LORD,  all the earth.    
Sing to the LORD,  bless His name;    
Proclaim good tidings  of His salvation  from day to day.    
Tell of His glory  among the nations,    
His wonderful deeds  among all the peoples.    
For great is the LORD,  and greatly to be praised;    
He is to be feared  above all gods.    
For  all the gods  of the peoples  are idols,   
But the LORD  made the heavens.    
Splendor and majesty  are before Him,    
Strength and beauty are  in His sanctuary.

When we always look inward  at our own troubles and concerns,  it’s like putting on blinders,  preventing us  from seeing  and remembering the glories  of the Lord.     As we take the time  to look outward,  we will see  all the marvelous things  God has done around us  and for us.    The things  that God has done  cannot be done by anyone else.     Only the LORD  has the ability  to do all  that He has done.     There is no other god  or power  or being  of any sort  that is anything  like the LORD.

There is nothing else  that deserves the praise and honor  that God deserves.     His most wonderful deed  is giving us salvation  in Jesus Christ.     We have good reason  to slip off our blinders  of despondency  and looking inward — it’s time  to “sing to the LORD  a new song.”     Think about His wonders,  and especially the wonder  of His love and salvation.     There is no question about it,  “for great is the LORD,  and greatly  to be praised.”

Looking upward,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  in Your creation  of so many glorious and wondrous things,  it’s awesome  how You still think of us  and love us  in Jesus Christ.     Thank you  for setting the glories  of Your powers  all around us,  so that we might see,  and believe,  and praise Your great name.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

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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