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If there was ever a year in which it is difficult to praise God, it must be the year 2020, with all its attendant issues. However, praising God is something that God wishes us to do, and to do as naturally as we breathe. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” – (Psalms 150:6). So, it is a great day to praise the Lord. Why? Because we still have breath to praise and glorify the most-high God. Only the living can praise Him. So, anyone with any intention to praise the almighty God better does it now because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Let us lift our hands and give ourselves completely to praising the Lord! We can only praise who we honor and prize highly. If we hold the Lord in the highest state of respect and admiration, it will be easy to praise Him.
Several things can happen when God is praised from the heart. Some folks prefer the quiet solemn way to praise God, but there are others who, when they are praising God, do things that can get people wondering what is going on. They are all acceptable forms of praise. Yes, whatever fits your fancy when you are praising the Lord, just as long as you do it from the heart. There was the Bible story of when Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives in Luke 19:28-40. He had sent two of His disciples after a colt (a donkey). When they brought the colt to Jesus, they put garments on it and Jesus got on the donkey to ride. As Jesus was riding in, the whole multitude of the disciples began spontaneously to rejoice and praise God in a loud voice saying, “Blessed be the king that cometh.” They were praising God in a loud voice and some of the Pharisees were either embarrassed or felt like that was not the way to praise God because they told Jesus, “Master, rebuke your disciples.” Our Lord Jesus Christ however gave them an instructive response, He said “I tell you, …. if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” So, as we respond to God’s goodness and power in praise to Him, if you feel like doing it with a reckless abandon, go ahead. I am sure you do not want the objects to start praising God in your stead.
Sometimes we are going through some difficult times and we cannot even bring ourselves to praising God. Remember though that we can still praise God despite our circumstances. Recall when Paul and Silas were in jail – Acts 16:25-31, despite their circumstances they started singing hymns in the middle of the night. The Bible tells us that as they were singing there was a violent earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison and all the windows and doors of the prison flew open. You see it does not matter what our circumstances are, when we praise God chains are broken and burdens are lifted. You see, our trials and our problems are not bigger than God. So, get in the act of praising God and let God know that you know that he can take care of all of your problems.
There may yet be others who have felt the touch of His mighty hands. The Lord has just shown up mightily in your lives and you do not know what to do. Well, I want you to borrow a leaf from the lame man at the gate called “Beautiful”. Recall the man was begging for money from Peter and John. Peter told him that “Silver or gold I do not have” – Acts 3:6, then “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong” – Acts 3:7. The Bible tells us that once this man received his healing “he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” -Acts 3:8. When people saw him, they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. You see, when you praise God with all your heart, and all your being, it lets people recognize the grace of God that is working on your life.
Many of us feel ashamed to let ourselves go when we praise the Lord. Well, today is a great day to do it and not feel ashamed after all the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. We must get into the habit of praising God with reckless abandon for anything, at anytime and anywhere, because whatever we do, anyway, is for the glory of the Lord. I am not suggesting that you shout, I am saying do it with all your mind and all your soul and all your spirit. When we praise God, our joys will be full, our souls will be lifted up, and our faiths strengthened, to the glory of His name but only to the extent of our immersion in our praise. – Pastor Simbo Odunaiya
