Tag Archives: praise

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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” the reality of God.  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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“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”  (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

It is a sad day, indeed, when we adults — for reasons I can only begin to name — stop singing.

We sing as children, and love it.  In fact, who among us doesn’t remember the songs we learned and used to sing as children?

We hear birds sing, and love it.  In fact, their melodies are particularly welcome in the early Spring, when we yearn for any sign of warmer weather.

Most of us are fans of other people’s singing; but God has given each one of us a voice, and He delights in hearing our voices in song.  You needn’t sing like Adele.  You needn’t sound like Sinatra.  What to sing?  Sing of His faithfulness.  Sing of His love.  Sing of His greatness, His mercy, and His care of us.

Just sing.  It is music to our heavenly Father and it gladdens His heart.  – Luther

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