Praising God is vital to the success of our lives here in this world. That praise is not just for those times of deliverance and or wins, but at all times in this life. This morning I was reminded that praise is not something that is in the now, but should have been with me from the beginning of my life and to the end of my life as well.
“4Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
5For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.
7I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
9Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.” — Psalm 71:4-9 (ESV)
Praise for and to the LORD began even before I was born into this world, as noted in verse 6 above. No, I was not praising Him at that time, but I did have reason to praise Him and that carried into my youth as noted in verse 5 above. I then recognized the glory of the LORD “all the day” as noted in verse 8 before carrying into my “old age” as noted in verse 9.
Praise is for a lifetime, and not just for those times when it “feels right” to praise Him. Whether or not the timing is right, is of no consequence. It is the praise to and for the LORD that matters. When it comes to the praise of the LORD, the time is always right.
From the beginning of my life and into old age, as I journey there, I must remember to praise the LORD. I am responsible to bring praise to Him and demonstrate that praise for all to see. I have to be overt in my praise so that there is no question, where and to whom my allegiance lies, the LORD. I need those from small and young to the youth and young adults and those that are of my age and beyond to see that the LORD is great and greatly to be praised.
What is getting in the way of your praise for the LORD, regardless of your age in life? Are you looking for the right opportunity to praise so that someone might see you in action? What if you just demonstrated your praise for all to see, regardless of their age and for sure, regardless of yours?
Trevor's Thoughts 