Category: Praise

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The Challenge of Praise

Dear sister,

This past October, I took part in a blogging challenge that has taken place throughout the blogosphere for a few years now – the challenge to write a blog post every day of the month on a topic of your choice. The idea is to keep yourself motivated and write more frequently. It was great fun! But the topic God put on my heart to write about was not an easy one for me – Praise. I tend to be a reflective, melancholy gal and while feeling emotions deeply is not bad in and of itself, my emotions can tend toward discouragement rather than praise and joy if I am not careful.

Writing about Praise for the entire month was a challenge, but a very worthwhile one for me. I’m sure you’ve pushed yourself through something that did not come naturally and been surprised at the results – you probably felt a sense of accomplishment and joy over reaching a goal you didn’t know you could reach. Making the choice to praise God every day is just like that – we need to choose to do it, even when we don’t feel like it. I do understand that if you are deeply discouraged this won’t come easily…but when you take that step of faith to praise God for who He is, not who He might seem to be in the darkness, you will experience great joy – especially as you continue in this habit! Our emotions are sometimes fickle and change with the weather, but God never changes. What comfort to know that we can cling to God in praise, even when the storms rage within us and around us. I find it particularly convicting that David the Psalmist ends the majority of His Psalms with his eyes lifted up in praise to God – despite his often overwhelming circumstances. He was anchored in the character of God and chose to praise God no matter what he was experiencing.

Making the choice to praise God daily changed me permanently, though I have had to continue choosing this discipline, with God’s help. I realized that I did not have to wallow in my discouragement but could lift my eyes to Christ and His perfections! While we are deeply loved and accepted by God, we are frail, broken sinners and this can bring much discouragement at times. Looking to God in praise and thanks opens the floodgates of heaven – this posture is commanded! (Psalm 100:4) You will find that if you approach God in prayer this way, you will be reminded of His many glorious perfections, and laying down your requests in faith will often seem easier, having reflected on how magnificent HE is, rather than how great your problems might seem to be. No trial, however large, can compare to the wonder of His glory.

May I commend to you a book, dear sister? Please consider reading Becky Harling’s 30-Day Praise Challenge if you are struggling to praise God in this season. She so beautifully elaborates on this discipline and I found it to be very instructive and encouraging. I pray you find comfort as you praise our Great God and Savior. He is so worthy!

“ Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

With love ~ your sister,
Ruth

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I Shall Yet Praise Him…

My Dearest Sister,

You know those days where you wish you could just start over? Well, it’s been one of those days. I’ll spare you the gritty details, but let’s just say it involved a stressed husband, a screaming baby, and a long list of errands to run with said screaming baby. The headache I woke up with got worse as the day wore on and our apartment seemed to get messier before my eyes. The last thing I felt like doing in the midst of my frustration and tiredness was praising the Lord. Yet as I reflect back on my day, the words of Psalm 43:5 come to mind: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”

As my life seems to get busier and full of more responsibilities, I am learning that just because I am stressed or burdened, praising the Lord should still be a priority. In fact, it happens to be the very purpose for which we were intended. Psalm 148 tells us that all creation from the heights of the heavens to the depths of the sea are designed to praise God. Remember the story where Jesus was entering Jerusalem riding on the donkey? He told the disgruntled Pharisees that if His disciples were to stop proclaiming Him as Lord and King, the rocks would immediately cry out His praises. If the stones of the earth are intended to worship God, then how much more the man who was made in His own image?

It is important to remember sister, that not only were we created to proclaim God’s praises, but we do so because He is worthy of them. As Psalm 145:3 says “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” It goes on to list all the many reasons why He deserves our praise, from the wonderful works He has done among us (vs. 4-6), to His unfailing goodness, grace, and compassion (vs. 7-9). The Lord is mighty (v. 11), He keeps his promises (v. 13), and He lifts up those who fall (v. 14). Our magnificent Father provides for us (v. 15), is righteous and loving in all His ways (v. 17), and watches over and protects us (v. 20).

Of all these reasons to proclaim God’s greatness, let’s not forget the one that allows us to know Him in the first place: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). When sin entered the world through the fall of man, it became a barrier between us and our most perfect Creator. However, in His infinite wisdom, God provided a way for us to be united with Him once again. By sending His precious, sinless Son to take the consequences of our iniquity, He provided a way of salvation from spiritual death and an eternity separated from Him. What could be more deserving of our endless praise than that?

If my attitude had been one of praise today, even though my soul felt cast down, my day would have turned out very differently. Times of frustration would have been opportunities to grow. My son’s inconsolable crying would have been a time to show compassion and love, just like the compassion and love God has shown me. The long list of things to do would have been a chance to thank Him for the family He has given me to clean up after and care for. Praising God through each and every hiccup of my day would have turned my focus from myself and my problems to Him and His glory. And that’s the whole point of praise, really. It’s turning our attention to the One who has created us in His wisdom, redeemed us in His love, and sustains us in His strength. For that, He is most worthy of our praise each and every day, from now until eternity.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:1-3

In His love, ~ Lauren

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Worthy of Praise

Dear sister,

To be honest, I have no idea where this letter is going. Sometimes I just have to start typing away before I get a clearer picture of what I’m going to write. So in preparation of writing this letter I did a word study on the word “praise.” (You know how I love words.)

The word “praise” comes from the Latin word meaning “price” or “value.” To praise something is simply to ascribe it worth. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia expands on this definition: “True praise consists in a sincere acknowledgement of a real conviction of worth.”

If we should be convicted that someone or something is of worth, surely God would be at the top of the list. Anything else we may add quickly fades away in comparison with the glory of our God and King, the Creator of the universe. Do you stop to praise God during the day? Do you consider His creation and praise Him for it? Do you meditate on the faithful works He has wrought in your life?

Praising God is not something that I often struggle with. It is but the natural overflow of a heart that meditates on the works and person of God. Just step outside your door and consider the blueness of the sky or the warmth of the sun or the majesty of the trees and immediately you will be filled with awe.

But that’s not to say that there aren’t days when I’m too focused on myself to notice the awesomeness of God’s creation or acknowledge His faithful hand of providence in my life. Sometimes it is hard to praise God when we are in the midst of brokenness and uncertainty.

But when we fail in this duty we rob God of the glory that is due His name and defraud ourselves of the joy that comes from turning our thoughts away from our circumstances and onto our precious Lord Jesus Christ.

I challenge you today, dear sister, that if you are struggling in the valley, if your soul is downcast within you, to take time out to purposefully praise God. Meditate on His goodness and the work of His hands and remember His faithfulness toward you. I assure you, you will find rest for your soul.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Running with joy,

Kayla

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The Music of Praise

Dear Sisters,

This weekend I attended a lovely piano concert. Picture in your mind if you will: a Hawaiian church, the evening breezes blowing thru the open windows, family and friends seated around, lights focused on the baby grand piano tucked in the front corner of the building, and haunting melodies lifting around us. At the end of one piece in particular, I remember feeling almost cheated that the music did not continue.

Recently, my husband and I finished reading the book of Revelation. I have always longed to understand more of Revelation—its symbology often confuses me to say the least. One portion in chapter 4 established a particularly dry, boring image in my mind in which the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are constantly praising the Lord (with the same specific phrases). Today as I re-read those verses, last night’s concert came to mind and a suggestion developed that perhaps these praises would be much like the music I heard and wanted to continue—music expressing a surprising variety of thought and emotion, but always wrapped in delight and joy.

Each piece of music has notes it centers around, they hold the piece together as a whole, make it unique, and they repeat throughout. Perhaps the praises of those in heaven would pattern themselves much like beautiful music on earth—unified in its theme, ever changing in its expression. And, also like here on earth, the praise in heaven might flow and pervade every aspect of our lives. In other words, I do not imagine we simply have a forever ‘gather around the camp fire’ experience at the throne of heaven. God is a god of action and creation. He delights in work. In fact, He made us to work and created joy in our hearts for our acts of creation and His. Instead, I envision His saints working while praising much as we might whistle while we work—indeed, as in I Thess. 5:17 we should “pray without ceasing.” Here on earth, we are to constantly lift our hearts to Christ as we go through the day—in communion with Him; in heaven, oh joy!, we will be side-by-side with our Best Friend! I do not think we will be able to help exclaiming in delight over His power, majesty, glory, and honor as we ever find new facets of His person and work.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Rev. 4:8b.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your Will they existed, and were created.” Rev. 4:11.

Over and over, the same chorus binding the praise together, different voices, high, low, quiet, trumpeting, lilting, flowing, marching, poignant, beautiful, and best of all—never ending.

Running (and praising) with you,
Rebecca

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Coffee and the Psalms

Dear sister,

Wait…before I start I need to get myself a cup of coffee. I’m a bit of a coffee snob. I need to grind the beans, preferably a dark roast that hasn’t been open for more than a week, then boil water for my French press. I let it steep for a little more than five minutes to get a full body flavor without the bitterness. Then I need a glass or ceramic mug that I can hold with two hands as I shrug my shoulders together to savor the richness. I have to drink it while it’s fresh to be able to enjoy the heat, smell, feel, and taste of each sip. Ahhhhh, that was a good cup. I implore you to go make this aromic, delectable treat for yourself…I’ll wait.

Now, what was I doing? Oh yes, writing about praise. Praise is a proper response to something and/or someone you enjoy. You give credit where credit is due and call others to enjoy it with you. As you can see, I REALLY enjoy a cup of coffee while reading or writing. It’s calming and helps me relax in my task. In fact, I enjoy it so much that I tell others about it and proclaim its glory! I have even worked at Starbucks to learn more about it and upon traveling to Ethiopia, I bought beans that were roasted before my eyes and filled with such flavor I have never forgotten the experience. My husband has even become a coffee snob as a result of the praise I have for coffee. My individual praise of a simple thing of a good cup of coffee has led others to praise and enjoy it too.

I find as a believer though, it is sometimes easier for me to praise the things that are set before me rather than the Creator who made all things. I praise my husband, Annabelle, a good meal, a riveting and clean TV show, or a good book, but I forget to first praise the Creator who is responsible for every good and perfect thing. The Psalms are full of praises to the Lord for military victory, His creation, His salvation, His provision, His Word, and life. The Psalmist often finds his spirit lifted after searching for ways to Praise the Lord. I also find my heart lifted when I praise the Lord in song or in fellowship with other believers. I know He is praiseworthy and giving Him praise fills me with joy, does it do that for you, sweet sister?

Praising our children, husbands, and a good cup of coffee is not bad, but let us not lose sight of who deserves the ultimate praise for giving us these things. Let us, like the psalmist, draw others to praise the Creator who has blessed us with senses, emotions, and a lifetime to enjoy His vast and variable creation. Let us call others to praise and enjoy our Father who adopted us in Christ with full inheritance for eternity! Let us praise and boast of the only Being who truly deserves all our praise! Let’s start now:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
 The King of creation

O my soul, praise Him 
For He is thy health and salvation

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration



Praise to the Lord
 Who o’er all things so wonderfully reigneth

Shelters thee under His wings
 Yea, so gladly sustaineth

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth



Praise to the Lord 
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriend thee



Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him

All that hath life and breath 
Come now with praises before Him

Let the ‘amen’ sound from His people again

Your sister,
Colleen