Tag Archives: divine praise

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.  They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.  For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.”  (Psalm 89:15-17, NIV)

Learning to “acclaim” the Lord requires both discipline and practice.

Discipline, because it is something that is contrary to our ego-centric selves.  Practice, because it is only through repetition that it becomes our nature to give God the glory that is rightfully His.

In life, we take so much for granted.  If we only thought for 60 seconds of all of the things that God gives us as a matter of His grace: The air we breathe; the water we drink; the food we eat; longevity; the love of our family members; the fidelity of our friends. . ., we would rejoice in His “name all day long.”

As it is, these simple gifts are seldom noticed, until we are at risk of losing them; or, until we have begun to “walk in the light of [His] presence.”

As large as the blessing may be in the receipt of God’s gifts; a larger blessing is knowing that God’s reservoir of grace is inexhaustible.  – Luther

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It is a natural desire to have the praise and affirmation of other people.

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“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” (1 Chronicles 16:8, NIV)

Today’s scripture is taken from the first words spoken by the priests that served before the ark of the covenant of God. The ark was the physical representation — a reminder, if you will — of the presence of God. 

These words were prescribed by David, and are as good today for us as they were thousands of years ago for the Children of Israel. 

First, we are invited to “give praise to the Lord.” May all that we do speak well of our heavenly Father. 

Next, we are to proclaim His name: That is, to “advertise” that God is. There are many forms of advertising. Some of it is active, and some of it is passive; but all forms carry a message.  Are we proclaiming His name, or are we hiding our relationship to God as if it is of no consequence to us?

Third, our advertising has the purpose of making known to the nations — that is, those who know not God — what God has done for you. This is your story, and no one should be able to tell your story as well as you. 

Today, let your life be an advertisement for the goodness of God.  – Luther

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