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Grand Junction Church of Christ
2893 Patterson Road
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 970-245-4210
Praise Him Even More
I don't recall ever being asked to explain the importance of
breathing. It's pretty well accepted that breathing is a good idea and
we should do it many times every day - a lack of breathing is
definitely bad for our physical health. It's not an exaggeration to
say that praise is as important, should become as natural and occur as
often, as our breathing. For if we choose not to live a life of
praise, we will just as surely suffocate and spiritually die.
The life of praise requires only a little instruction and a great deal
of application. To begin with, we must learn to ALWAYS praise!
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Notice that rejoicing is so important that Paul decided to repeat
himself. If we are living to love and glorify God, He has promised to
work ALL things together for the good (Romans 8:28); so why do we wait
for what appear to be the proper conditions for praise? If we really
understood and believed that God is in control, wouldn't we praise Him
regardless of our particular situation? "Be joyful always; pray
continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). There is never a
wrong time to praise God and there are never circumstances which don't
deserve our thankfulness.
Job lost absolutely everything he had except his wife. He then
developed sores over every part of his body and was so miserable that
his wife encouraged him to "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:10). Job was in
great pain and heavy sorrow, but he knew all things came from God with
a purpose; "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job
2:10). God is in the good as well as the trouble; we must learn to
praise Him in ALL situations!
Our life can become difficult and painful; we may feel bored and
unfulfilled, cheated and abused. But if we look at the reasons which
keep us from praising, we will find "self" expectations and pride - we
will find a life lived according to the desires of the flesh and not
according to the fruit of the Spirit. Every portion of our life is to
be offered "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans
12:1). As we fix our eyes on the eternal glory we have through Jesus
we will find more and more reasons to praise.
Let's never allow our earthly circumstances to direct our praise: "Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). If we're
still breathing, we should still be praising! He has given us eternal
life - an eternity of worship in His presence...that's a GREAT
gift! Let's look for the hand of God working around us each and every
day. Let's praise Him with all our heart - and then let's praise Him
even more!