Greatly to Be Praised - January 4 Readings: Psalm 145

We are going to "enter the year with praise." Our January readings and devotionals will all focus on the goodness and grace of God. Get a journal or notebook to write down your thoughts every day. Our passages are shorter - please don't rush through them. Take time to meditate and consider why God is worthy of your praise.

Enter 2020 with the praise of God on your lips!

Today's Praise Passage:  Psalm 145

I exalt you, my God the King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 I will bless you every day;
I will praise your name forever and ever.

 3 The Lord is great and is highly praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation will declare your works to the next
and will proclaim your mighty acts.
5 I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty
and your wondrous works.
6 They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They will give a testimony of your great goodness
and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and great in faithful love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone;
his compassion rests on all he has made.
10 All you have made will thank you, Lord;
the faithful will bless you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom
and will declare your might,
12 informing all people of your mighty acts
and of the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule is for all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and gracious in all his actions.

 14 The Lord helps all who fall;
he raises up all who are oppressed.
15 All eyes look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all his acts.
18 The Lord is near all who call out to him,
all who call out to him with integrity.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry for help and saves them.
20 The Lord guards all those who love him,
but he destroys all the wicked.
21 My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise;
let every living thing
bless his holy name forever and ever.

Through the Bible Reading: Genesis 8-10, Matthew 4, Psalm 3, Proverbs 1:8-9

Some of our readers want a little more "meaty" devotional, so I am including a link to the through Through the Bible in One Year readings we did last year. 

Devotional: Worthy of Worship 

What is praise? For many people, it is a synonym for music, the part of the worship service that precedes the preaching. At my last church, we would have "praise services" a few times a year. I noticed the common theme - the praise services were ones at which I did NOT preach. Hmm...

For others, praise is an emotional overflow, a feeling. My dad used to call it an emotional bubble bath. Many worship services are geared toward evoking an emotional response and whipping people into a frenzy. A friend attended a "revival" service years ago and was bothered when people were told repeatedly to shut off their minds, not to think or discern, but simply to go with the flow and feel the presence of God.

Psalm 145 is template for the process of praise - how we enter the gates of God's presence. Look at the structure of the passage.

1. It begins with an expression of intent to focus on and praise God, to lift him up high. "I exalt you, my God the King." Of course, God is already exalted. Our praise doesn't affect his position. He is seated on the throne of heaven ruling the universe, whether I praise him or not. When I exalt God, I change my perspective, seeing things the heavenly way. I humble myself and recognize his exalted and holy position.

2. Praise is rooted in the character of God. Each of the sections of the passage begins with a statement about the greatness and character of God. Verse 3 begins with a summary statement about the greatness of God - he is worthy of all praise. His greatness is beyond human understanding. Verse 8 focuses on God's grace, while verse 14 shows that God lifts up the fallen and oppressed. Verse 17 highlights the righteousness and faithfulness of God.

3. Each of those sections then continues with actual praise and worship. God is glorified and exalted.

So, what is the process of praise? It is simple. The human heart considers the glorious character of God and verbally exalts him. Praise can be emotional, but it begins in the contemplation of truth about God - who he is and what he has done for us. When we praise God, we do not seek an emotional state, but seek to know more about him and then exalt him to his proper place in our minds and hearts.

Father, I exalt you today to the place you deserve. Forgive me for those times I've exalted myself or focused on the things of this world. You are great and greatly to be praised. 

Think and Pray:

Meditate on this passage and write down:

1. The character qualities of God for which you can praise him. 

2. The gracious acts of God for which you can give thanks to him. 

Do you devote time to glorifying God and exalting him to the place he deserves in your life?