Is The Scripture Praise?

Chapter 7

Day 2

 How in the world could the praise scriptures contained in the bible possibly help me today? Good question! Could it be by helping me to learn to praise God? We get caught up in the everyday life we live and sometimes we forget to praise Him. These scriptures will help us to praise God as we read them.

Have you ever read something and a feeling of agreement fills your heart? I feel that way every time I read one of the Psalms. I know I take for granted some of the things God does for me. I am faithful to thank God for furnishing me financial needs, I’m faithful to thank God for anything major that comes my way, and I’m faithful to thank God for my salvation; but what about the breath that I breath, the friends I have, the right to worship Him, for sending men to fight for my freedom, and many other things we have a tendency to forget. When was the last time you praised God for your wisdom?

I’m as guilty as the next person of not praising God in my prayers. We start our prayers with something like, “Our heavenly Father.” That’s respect, not praise. Why can’t we do as David did and say, “Our most high God,” or “God almighty” or “Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be Your name,” as Jesus did? There are many examples of how to praise God in the scriptures. We just need to find them and use them.

What about the scriptures that show praise from God to man through the writer? Did you ever tell your children how great you think they are, or how much you love them? God believes in encouraging His children just as much as we encourage ours. There are examples through out the bible of how God encourages His people. If we learn to recognize these scriptures (Genesis 12: 1-3; Ephesians 1:2) we will see how God encourages/praises us and stop listening to people who tell us God will make us rich if we give them our money. God will help us to prosper if we tithe, but give it to God not to man. If the church needs money, let them trust God for it.

The scriptures also teach us to praise/encourage one another (Romans 1:8-10). A lot of our denominations today teach this as being wrong. Why? Because they don’t understand how to praise someone without giving them the “big head.” Even as Christians, we hesitate to tell someone they have a beautiful voice. We don’t want to flatter them to the point they will feel superior to anyone else. Believe it or not most people, especially Christians, don’t feel superior just because of a little encouragement. You’re judging them.

If you made a statement like, “I praise God for giving you that beautiful voice.” Not only have you given words of encouragement to the person, but you praised God at the same time. As Christians we need to better understand what praise is use it more often. When we encourage someone for their faith in Jesus, we are helping them to maintain that faith. You are more inclined to continue doing something if you know it is appreciated.

How many times have you told the elders of your church how good a job they are doing? These people usually do their work for God without pay. If we can’t at least let them know how much we appreciate what they do, how long do you think they will continue? In your job, how long will you stay happy and do the job to the best of your ability if it appears no one cares. It is a part of our nature, yes our spiritual nature, to seek approval (1 Peter 1:3-4). We share in God’s Divine Nature, so we should expect the same things God expects. God expects us to serve Him as He serves us. God expects us to praise Him as He praises us. It’s a part of the Divine Nature we share.

Don’t praise the show, praise the manor in which the person uses the gift God has given them. EXAMPLE: Pastor, you really touched my heart with that sermon, I praise God that He called you to preach. Again, you gave praise to God and to the pastor. You didn’t praise the pastor for going to college to learn to preach, you praised the pastor for learning to use God’s calling correctly.

Daily Bible Readings:

1. Read Psalm 23

2. Read 2 Peter 1