Thanks & Praise
When my kiddos were small, I tried often to “catch them being good” and reward them for good behavior. It seemed there were seasons where all I did was punish bad behavior. It was way more fun to catch them doing good for sure. When I think of some of the things I’ve done as God’s kid, I’m embarrassed and thankful for His Patience with me. I’m also thankful for His Grace that has erased a ton of stupid things that I’ve done, thought or said. I have much to praise and give Him thanks for.
David moved that Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This represented the Presence of God among the people of Israel. When the move had happened with much celebration, King David led the people in a time of praise and worship. Check this out…
7 On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord:
8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
9 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
10 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
11 Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
23 Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
24 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
25 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
26 The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!
27 Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and joy fill his dwelling.
28 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord,
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
29 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
30 Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! (1 Chronicles 16:7-11,32-32 NLT)
I can imagine how this out pouring of praise must have blessed the Lord. I believe we are created and wired for worship. When our worship comes from a thankful heart, I believe the Lord smiles upon us. I really want to convert these words to a song and sing it before the Lord. This passage makes my heart swell with gratitude. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to the Lord for all He has done and is doing in my life. There are times I’m nervous and frightened and I remind myself to turn to Him and trust Him. I’m trying to start each day of the rest of my life with gratitude overflowing with thankfulness and praise to the Lord.
Pressing On!
Dwayne