When do your send or express praise to the LORD? I feel like the overwhelming answer to that question is when we are delivered from something or something goes well based on what we are wanting to happen.
“1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” — Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
I look at the words from David here in Psalms. I should be praising the LORD, “at all times” and “continually”. Not just when I am delivered from something. Or, when I am able to accomplish something that I wanted. After all, it is not, nor should it be, about me. I am to be lifting praise to the LORD, FOR HIM!
I am His servant and should be lifting Him up, not myself. I have to remember that the LORD is with me at all times, not just when things are their darkest. And yet, when they are darkest, is when I call on Him for deliverance, and then offer praise to Him for doing so. I have to remember that I did wake this morning. I have a job to go to so that I can support my family. I do have a roof over my head. I do have food to eat. I do have a wife I love and loves me. I do have boys that I love and love me. I do have the ability to sit here in the mornings and study His word and broadcast my thoughts to others, to bring encouragement to them. All of these are worthy of my praise to the LORD, not just the significant successes or deliveries.
I sit here this morning and think of all I have to be thankful for and where all of that comes from. It is from God and His love for me. I have to remember that and praise Him continually for those provisions and blessings. In my prayers, I have to remember to praise Him and give thanks for all that I have received and all I will receive.
What have you missed that you should have given praise for? Are you praising the LORD in just those times of deliverance and success? What if you were to praise the LORD continually and in all things instead?
Trevor's Thoughts 