Post by Don Gieseke on Nov 27, 2021 9:19:44 GMT -6
Reasons to Praise
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
Psalm 135:3
The United States Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. It is awarded by Presidents of the United States to persons who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” The award is accompanied by the President’s recitation of the recipient’s accomplishments and good works.
Awards are never given for no reason. They are always given in recognition of something that has been done or contributed by the recipient. And the same is true when we give thanks or praise to God. In the Old Testament, God’s actions and attributes are mentioned as reasons for praising Him: “Praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers” (Jeremiah 20:13). There is, of course, no end to the actions and attributes of God that are worthy of praise.
In your own prayers, develop the habit of thanking God for what He has done for you—your own personal reasons for praising Him.
Let earth and Heaven combine, angels and men agree, to praise in songs divine the incarnate Deity.
Charles Wesley, “They Shall Call His Name Immanuel”