This morning I was led to the book of Joel and the passage titled “The LORD Had Pity”. Verse 26 is where the focus was, however as usual, I look to before and after to get more that just a snip in time. Below is the verse.

“²⁶You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD your God,

who has dealt wondrously with you.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.” — Joel 2:26 (ESV)

When I read only the verse, I see that the LORD’s provision will be plentiful and for that I should be praising Him. He makes sure that I “need” for nothing and He will deal “wondrously” with me. He goes so far as to say that I will “never again be put to shame”, indicating that He is with me always and will continuously protect and provide.

But, look at that last sentence again, “never again”. This indicates that there was a time of shame. The LORD allowed for difficulty and overtaking. It is not until you read the rest of the passage that there is more understanding as to what took place and the place where the LORD is at this time and with us now. The LORD took pity on the people and brought them provision and protection. He gave to them to lead them to again find Him and rely on Him. That is the point of that final sentence. He would “never again” allow that to happen to His people. And look here at verse 27.

“²⁷You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,

and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else.

And my people shall never again be put to shame.” — Joel 2:27 (ESV)

The LORD will always be with me. He will be known to be with me and I will know that there is none like Him. He is the living God and will continue to bring provision and protection to us His people in the midst of any and everything that we may face. I have to remember to give myself to Him full each day and Praise Him for all that He is and provides and will provide. I have to praise God for having pity on me and all of my shortcomings.

What praise are you bringing to the LORD? Are you even aware that He knows of our suffering and has pity on us for that suffering? What if you were to praise Him for the pity He has on us and will have on us to provide for our forever?

I regularly call my wife “Woman”. I know, it may seem somewhat out of place to do so, but let me explain. You see, I see it, and she accepts it as a term of endearment, and the word if God indicates that as well. I may have mentioned something about this in the past as Jesus referred to His mother with that term at the wedding in Canaan where He turned water into wine. This was not meant derogatory by any means. And there is also the passage in Proverbs 31 where it is outlined all that the “woman” does and should be recognized.

I am in full agreement that there is something special about the “woman”. There is so much done by the woman in the household that goes unnoticed or even ignored. Lori is my wife, the mother to our boys, the thoughtful caregiver to her mother and grandfather, she is the loving teacher of students and those on her dance team. And so much of that is overlooked. My mom, Shirley is my mother, the grandmother my our boys, the thoughtful caregiver of her family, she was the president of the baseball league, and the sideline cheerleader for all events she attends. And so much of that was/is overlooked.

Read the full passage of Proverbs 31 to get the sense of all that the “woman” does “for” all. Expressing my love and thanks and praise for Lori and Shirley is hard to do for me based on my personality and they both know it. But that does not mean that it is not there nor are they deserving.

“²⁹’Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.’

³⁰Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.” — Proverbs 31:29-31 (ESV)

And there you have it. In the word of God, the praise delivered to “woman”. The just words to express the praise for the work done. The delivery of that which should not be withheld. It is not what people see and know that make you valuable, it is all that you have done and will continue to do for those around you. You are to be praised as “woman” for you are more, day in and day out to all of those who surround you.

What is it that is done by the woman in your life? Are you seeing her as something less that what she is to those around her? What if you were to take a look at all that she is and does, I am sure that you will see that there should be praise to woman?

I joke about getting a swelled head when someone provides praise for the work that I have done. I fell as though the work I do is just part of the job, although I would be lying if I said I did not need the praise. The reality is that I appreciate the acknowledgment that I have actually performed a task or done a job that was recognized as being beneficial to some in some way. The thing is that I have to remember that I am not doing things to be praised, but as a demonstration of the work I am doing for the LORD.

“21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

and a man is tested by his praise.” — Proverbs 27:21 (ESV)

This morning as I was continuing my study on “praise”, I was reminded that how I give and receive praise are of great importance. I have to me sincere in each of the actions, giving and receiving. I have to be sure that when giving praise, it is for work done in earnest and not just lip service to manipulate another person. I have to be sure that I do not get the swelled head when receiving praise. I have to be diligent to continue to do the work of Christ without the expectation of anything in return from those of this world.

As noted in the verse above, silver and gold are made more valuable when they make it through the refining process. It takes the heat to remove the impurities and leave something that is of more value. It is part of the process to be refined into something of more value. The same is true of me. I have to endure the heat to remove any impurities of pride and manipulation. I have be sincere and humble in my giving and receiving of praise. I have to remember that it is not about building myself up, but about building of others.

I am reminded of my 4^th personal value: “Encourage: Instill a higher level of confidence and growth for all. Leading them to think, feel, and act more positively with themselves and others.” It is about the others and not me. I am here to ensure that others are grown and that sometimes means that I will be working behind the scenes so that they can find the stage. The praise I may receive is not what I seek, it is the growth of the others where I find joy.

How are you giving or receiving praise? Are you finding yourself possibly manipulating or prideful with your giving or receiving of praise? What if you were to simply give praise to build others up and receive praise humbly knowing it is not about you, but about others?

There is a natural tendency to heap praise on oneself. After all, if you don’t, who will. Well that is really not the way things are to work in the life of a Christian. I am to do the work, not for me, but for the glory of God.

“²Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

a stranger, and not your own lips.” — Proverbs 27:2 (ESV)

It is not up to me to praise me. I look upon things from my own perspective and will miss reality as others see it. I may do some work and only see the impact to me and think that it is worthy of praise, when in reality, I have harmed others to gain a “win” for me.

In the world today, I have to concern myself with serving others and doing the work for Christ and ensuring that others are winning. I don’t do things to gain notoriety, but to spread the love and example of Christ.

When I have done the work of the LORD, I have pleased Him and any praise I am due will come from Him or from those that benefited from the work. I can be pleased that I have done the work and then I should move on to the next. Even if/when the praise does not come from others, I am responsible only to continue and move on to the next.

Knowing that it is not my role to praise me, I have to remember that it is important that I recognize and praise work done by others. You get what you give and to receive praise, I have to remember to praise others. When work is done whether for the good of me or those around me, I have to remember to let them know of the job well done. I have to be the example of what right looks like and not expect others to have to praise themselves. I have to remember to praise them for the work done and the service provided.

It is better to give than to receive, and I have to remember that as I look out into this world and recognize work done. I have to give praise to others and not be concerned with whether or not I have received. I have to only concern myself with the giving of the service to others and doing the work of the LORD. I will receive in due time.

What have you been doing as relates to praise? Are you in the habit of praising yourself for work and not concerned with praising others? What if you did the opposite and praised others, and just did the work without expectation of praise, knowing that you simply did the work of the LORD?

“¹Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens!

²Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with lute and harp!

⁴Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and pipe!

⁵Praise him with sounding cymbals;

praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

⁶Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD!” — Psalm 150 (ESV)

Thirteen times “praise” is used in the above passage. I use it three times in the opening title. And all of that is just the beginning of what our declaration of praise for the LORD should be.

When I begin my day I open with prayer and study of God’s Word. I follow the model of prayer that Jesus gave and lift praise to the LORD. I am thankful for all that He as provided and blessed. I am glad for the love that He has for me and those in my life. I lift up Him for granting me guidance and comfort throughout my days.

As I continue through the day, I am thankful to the LORD for the direction He gives me. I praise Him for the opportunity to bring His love through my example to those I am in contact. I am grateful for the chance to spread His name and have become less and less shy about speaking His name in all company.

Ending my day I round our by lifting up the LORD for all that He provided for me that day. I thank Him for the guidance and direction. I praise Him for delivering me through all that I experienced, knowing that whether considered a win (in my eyes) or not, all was due to the LORD and His plan.

What does your day look like as relates to praising of the LORD? Are you finding yourself praising Him only some of the time? What if you were to lift Him up in the morning, throughout the day, and then again in the evening?

I believe that most of us have had that one person that we have hailed as the greatest. Whether in sports, business, philanthropic events, religion, or any other instance that we can think. There is always that one that provides greater than others. Where they are great and have done great things, they are not eternal.

“³Put not your trust in princes,

in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

⁴When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

on that very day his plans perish.” — Psalm 146:3-4 (ESV)

These greater than life entities are really just here today and gone tomorrow. Think of the greatest of them. When they are brought up in conversation, it is always about what they have already done. These facts are not to be forgotten, however they are also not serving the now. There will always be some other entity that takes over in the now.

Not the case with God. He was, is, and always will be. I will have Him and all that He does for the entirety of my life. And then even when I am gone, He will still be there for others to speak of all that He has, is, and will do.

“¹Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD, O my soul!

²I will praise the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” — Psalm 146:1-2 (ESV)

I have to remember that we all, in this world, are only here for a little while. Where what we do may be perceived as great, and even in the moment may actually be great, that moment will pass and then all will be forgotten. God will always be, from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has done great things and will do great things, and will be for all to experience and lean on for those great things. Praise the LORD for all eternity for He was great yesterday, is great today, and will be great tomorrow!

“¹⁰The LORD will reign forever,

your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the LORD!” — Psalm 146:10 (ESV)

What things have you seen that God and others have done that are great? Are others that have done great going to be there for the entirety of your life? What if you praised God for being there and providing, yesterday, today, and tomorrow for not only you, but for all and all to come?

“21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,

and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” — Psalm 145:21 (ESV)

And there it is. I have to remember to praise God, not only audibly, but with all of me. I believe that too often I think of praising God as an expression that can be heard to gather the attention of Him and those that are around. The reality is that God knows my heart and not everyone is able to hear. I have to be all in with my praise.

It is easy to say the words of praise to/for God. Anyone can do it and where I want to believe that everyone is sincere, the reality is that there are those in the world that are simply doing things for the optics of it and when the cameras are off, there is an entirely different side of them.

I am not hear to call out anyone for their actions other than myself. I sometimes find myself going through the motions because that is what is supposed to be done and seen. I have to abandon that “faking it” attitude. I have to be all in with my praise for the LORD. Not everything turns out the way I want it, but that does not mean that there is not praise to be had. I recently was overlooked for an opportunity and where it did sting not being chosen, I have to praise God for what He does have in store for me.

God is good and worthy of my praise. I may not understand all that is going on, but I can and will be praising God, knowing that He is running the show and there is a reason for whatever there is that has happened. I have to remember that what I know is not all there is to know and that God will give me just what I NEED to make it through and for that I will praise Him. I will praise Him with my voice. I will praise Him with my flesh so that all can see that regardless of the circumstances, I am giving all of me to Him for what He has and will do.

What things are going on in your life that you may not be praising for? Are you finding yourself just going through the motions of praise for others to see? What if you were to go all in on God and praise Him with all of you for that which has happened or will happen, knowing that He controls it all and has an ultimate plan for you?

God loves all of me. Yes, even the parts that I may not be fond of in myself. The birthmark on my leg, the smile on my face, the gray hair at 40 yrs old, my chewed fingers, my love of sports, and all else that makes up me. God loves it all.

“¹³For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.” — Psalm 139:13 & 16 (ESV)

In fact, as noted in the above verses, He formed me into what I am from the very beginning. God made me who I am today. And for that I am to be thankful. I have to give credit where credit is due and embrace all of me for that reason.

“¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.” — Psalm 139:14 (ESV)

I am who I am thanks to God and I praise Him for it. I was made for a purpose. I am filling place in God’s plan. I am the peg that fits in the hole. I am the missing puzzle piece. I am wonderfully formed to do the work of God in what He has for me in His plan. I praise God for making me, all of me.

There are times when I look at and compare myself to others. Why was I “not” made like them? Why was I “not” given that? Why was I “not” blessed with…? What a defeated attitude. What I should be doing is embracing all that I am and using what God gave me to do His work. I have to review passages like here in Psalm 139 and remember that I was wonderfully made and that I may not be like others, but I was made by God for God and I have a purpose to do His will and plug the hole I was made for. I was made like me. I was given what I was given. I was blessed with what I was blessed. I praise God of forming me, all of me, especially that I am not like others.

How are you looking on you? Are you comparing and looking to be like others? What if you embraced who you are and recognize and praise God for creating you to be you and know that you are for a purpose?

Yes, praise the rules that are set by God, as they are there to provide discipline and guidance.

“¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, O LORD,

and your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.” — Psalm 119:174-176 (ESV)

I myself, feel as though rules give you direction. When I start something new or move into an area that I am unfamiliar, I look for the rules to guide me in that area so that I am more quickly able to assimilate and thrive.

Yes, some rules are a bit much to take in, yet they are put in place for a purpose. I am obliged to follow those rules until they change. I may work to get them changed, however I am still held to the rule until that time they do change. With the rules God has in place, I have to understand that those rules will not be amended. They are there and will not be changed as the one that can change them is God, and His word is inerrant.

Since it is clear that God’s word will not be changed, and by extension, His rules will not change, I must seek refuge in those rules and allow them to provide the discipline I need in my life. I need direction and guidance and God’s word will provide that for me. See above in verse 176, that I am lost and I have to lean on the commandments of God to guide me back to safety.

Not only am I to live within the rules of God, but I should be praising them. As I am lost and need guidance, the rules that are there are something not only to hold on to, but I am to also celebrate that I have them bring me back. I am in the debt of God for providing salvation for me and it is the least that I can do to follow the rules that He has provided to give me the direction to completing the work He has for me.

What rules out there are you aware? Are you celebrating the reason for the rules that keep you moving in the right direction? What if you were to embrace the rules of God and praise Him for providing them to guide you in the world?

I have heard the saying, “It is not boasting, if it is true”. Well, praising God for what He continually does may seem like boasting to some, but for me, it is just the truth.

“¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!” — Psalm 111:10 (ESV)

Praising God lasts forever and should never be removed from our actions.

“⁸In God we have boasted continually,

and we will give thanks to your name forever.” — Psalm 44:8 (ESV)

There you have it. I will five thanks to Him and boast on Him and praise Him continually and forever. I must remember that God never ceases and in that I have to hold strong, knowing that all is due and done in His time and my role is but to praise and boast on Him to others. I have to wait patiently for Him to complete His part, all the while bringing praise to Him for being there and working for me.

I will admit that waiting on God is not easy, and frankly I get frustrated with what I feel like is no action being taken on His part. I sit and wait expecting that He will act on my timeline and in those times I am less than thankful.

It is in those times that I should be heaping praise and boasting on Him more. God works on His timeline and no matter the desires I have, He will make things happen when He wants them to happen and not when I do. I have to remember that my role is to do the work He has for me and then wait for Him to take action with regard to that work. I have to praise the LORD for giving me the opportunity to do my part and then simply give it over to Him to act on.

I praise the LORD continually for the work He has done in my life and for the work He will do in my life, even when I do not know what that work was or is exactly. God works in ways that I do not know. He provides relief where I did not even know relief was needed. He provides success where I did not even know I would have failed otherwise. He provides all things for all people for all times, and our role is to simply continue to do the work and praise Him continually.

What things are going in your life that you are not aware? Are you praising God for all that he has done and will do in your life? What if you were to just praise Him continually and boast on Him forever, knowing that all He does is in His time?