Are You Small Enough?

"What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?"

Psalm 8:4

Years ago, there was a famous explorer named William Beebe, a good friend of President Theodore Roosevelt. Often when he visited the President at Sagamore Hill, the two men would go outdoors at night to see who could first locate the Andromeda galaxy. Then, as they gazed at the tiny smudge of distant starlight, one of them would recite, “That is the spiral galaxy of Andromeda. It s as large as our Milky Way. It is one of a hundred million galax- ies. It is 750,000 light years away. It consists of 100 billion suns, each larger than our sun.” Then Roosevelt would grin and say, “Now I think we are small enough! Let’s go to bed.” With this ritual, Beebe and Roosevelt restored their sense of wonder. David had that sense of wonder, too. As he looked at creation he marveled that such a magnificent God could love and care for frail, weak humans. So often we think we have all the answers and can do everything needed without God's help. But the truth is we are completely dependent upon Him. Without His grace we would have nothing. Go out today and renew your wonder of God. Then lift up praises to Him for all that He is. 

That's My God!

"Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God".
Psalm 43:4

God is ever present in the life of a Christian. To "go to the altar of God" means we humble ourselves and admit our dependency upon Him. When we do this and open ourselves up to His presence we find joy. For He is a personal God and He delights in us (Psalm 18:19, Zephaniah 3:17). The psalmist calls Him "my God". And when we can say God is "my God" we can also say He is "my exceeding joy". Exceeding = extraordinary, great, huge, vast, enormous, superior, excessive, exceptional, surpassing, superlative, pre-eminent. Wow! That's my God.

Joyful Lips

"My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips."

Psalm 63:5

Have you ever been worn out at the end of a long day and felt your joy slipping away? The cure for those times is the Lord. When we turn to Him with praise and thanksgiving for who He is, something wonderful happens. Our weary soul is satisfied as a hungry tummy is satisfied with a big, juicy steak. Our Heavenly Father is always available, always eager to refresh us. He's our Abba Father -- Daddy -- the One we can run to for comfort. Praise Him with joyful lips!

The Stone of Israel

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

Luke 19:40

As Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the colt, a crowd of His followers began to shout praises to Him: “BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” There were Pharisees in the crowd who told Jesus to rebuke His disciples and tell them to stop their praises, but Jesus replied that if they were to stop, the stones would cry out. Stones could tell much of Jesus their Creator. They could tell of His power to make something out of nothing. The stones in Jerusalem could tell of the miracles He did there. The stones in Gethsemane could tell of His agony at facing His impending death on the cross. The stones at Calvary could tell of His crucifixion and the blood that flowed down from His wounds for the sins of the world. And the stones at His tomb could tell of His glorious resurrection. "Stones might well cry out, but we will not let them: we will hush their noise with ours; we will break forth into sacred song, and bless the majesty of the Most High, all our days glorifying him who is called by Jacob the Shepherd and Stone of Israel." (Spurgeon) 

The Beauty of Praise

"Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright." 

Psalm 33:1

To those who have a relationship with the Lord, the praise they offer to Him makes them beautiful. It's like wearing attire that really makes you look great. Like the special dress which always brings compliments to the woman who wears it. Or the suit and tie that makes people admire the man who puts it on. When we're praising God, our countenance shines. Whether we're praising Him silently or in a crowded auditorium with a worship band, praise becomes us. It always does. But I suggest that there is a particular beauty that comes in praising God from a weeping heart. The person who is suffering, or impoverished, or brokenhearted, and can still find it within themselves to praise God, has found the secret to lasting beauty. Praise is easy when things are going well, but to praise God in the midst of hard circumstances is a sacrifice. And sacrificial praise is the most becoming of all.

Resounding Praise

"Praise the LORD! 

Praise the LORD from the heavens; 

Praise Him in the heights!" 

Psalm 148:1

Praise resounds from Heaven to the earth. The angels praise the Lord continually. Those who have gone before us praise Him around the throne. Creation praises Him with its beauty. The Spirit within us quickens our spirit and causes us to praise the Lord. Praise is the response of a grateful heart. 

True Beauty

"Praise the LORD! 

For it is good to sing praises to our God; 

For it is pleasant and praise is becoming." 

Psalm 147:1

It is a privilege to praise God. That Deity would condescend to us and share Himself with us, is reason enough to praise Him. To know that we can have an intimate relationship with the Creator should move us to exalt Him. It is good to sing praises to our God because He is worthy of that honor. And in turn we are honored through the praise we offer to Him. He is pleased with our praise, and we are pleased to give it. Praise lifts our hearts and satisfies our souls. When we are in an attitude of praise, we are radiant. Look at a Christian who is praising God and you will see true beauty.

Proclaim the Name of the Lord!

"For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God!"

Deuteronomy 32:3

The older I get, the more love I feel for the Lord. I look at the majestic mountains that surround me and my heart wells up with praise for the strength He possesses. Summer storms with their lightning and thunder announce His mighty power. The delicate wildflowers in bloom -- all different in shape and color -- remind me that my Heavenly Father likes to give me flowers "just because". The tiny fawn I see next to its mother tells me that my Shepherd is tender and merciful, and that He gently cares for the young. All of creation ascribes greatness to my God and I will proclaim His name!

Talk to God

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises."

James 5:13

Here is the instruction we need for each day. Go to God first. If we are having a bad day, He will help us. There's no shame in being dependent upon Him. It's what He wants. If we are having a good day, then give the credit to the Lord. He deserves the glory. Whether in good times or bad, God wants to hear from us. Have you talked to Him today?

The Ultimate Achiever

“I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, 

In paths they do not know I will guide them. 

I will make darkness into light before them 

And rugged places into plains. 

These are the things I will do, 

And I will not leave them undone.”

Isaiah 42:16

God is the ultimate Achiever. He will always accomplish what He sets out to do. His boundless love drives Him to care for us, even when we refuse to acknowledge Him. Darkness can't hide Him, rugged mountains can't stop Him. He doesn't quit in frustration or fatigue, leaving things undone. Think of what God has done for you. Count the ways He has blessed you. God is faithful. He deserves all the honor and praise we can give Him. To God be the glory!

Consider His Blessings

    Bless the LORD, O my soul,

 And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 

    Bless the LORD, O my soul,

         And forget none of His benefits; 

    Who pardons all your iniquities,

         Who heals all your diseases; 

    Who redeems your life from the pit,

         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 

    Who satisfies your years with good things,

         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalm 103:1-5

The blessings of the Lord are endless. If He did nothing more than redeem us, that would be enough. Far more than enough. But the Lord's love and kindness extend beyond our salvation to our daily care. He is infinitely interested in our welfare. We have a wonderful God. Consider how He has blessed you and praise His name!

Continual Praise

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God.

Luke 24:50-53

Christ's redemptive work on earth was finished and now He sits at the right hand of God the Father. . . "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). The disciples worshiped Christ at His ascension "and were continually in the temple praising God." Knowing everything we do from scripture about our Lord and the salvation we have through Him, should inspire us to continually praise Him, as well.

Sing Like David

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold. And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 59:16

David wrote this psalm when Saul was trying to kill him. He knew from where his protection would come. The psalm begins as a prayer for deliverance and ends as a song of praise. David was in distress, but in the morning he would sing of  God's strength and lovingkindness. He knew God would deliver him. He had always been his stronghold and refuge, and He would continue to be so. We can follow David's lead and sing these words of praises to the Lord. For surely His strength and lovingkindness is as certain for us today, as it was for David.

He Is More Beautiful

"Bless the LORD, O my soul!

         O LORD my God, You are very great;

         You are clothed with splendor and majesty," 

Psalm 104:1

My eyes are fixed on the majestic mountains surrounding me, clothed in the splendor of the season. A brilliant azure sky hovers over them, and in this moment I think there is nothing that could be more beautiful. Nothing except my Lord. He is more beautiful than the finest scene I can imagine. The cover of His splendor and majesty is His glory. Bless the LORD, O my soul! He is very great and greatly to be praised!

Open the Door to Praise

"I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples,
         And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
    For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens,
         And Your truth reaches to the skies.
    Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
         And Your glory above all the earth."
Psalm 108:3-5

The world needs to know of the love and kindness of our God. When we testify to others of what He has done in our lives, giving thanks and all the praise to Him, we open the door for them to praise Him, too. In this God is exalted and His glory fills the earth. Sing His praises!

The Gift of Praise

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD

         And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 

    To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

         And Your faithfulness by night, 

    With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp,

         With resounding music upon the lyre."

Psalm 92:1-3

Day and night the Lord watches over His children. There is no time when He is not with us. As Christians, His very Spirit lives within us, strengthening us and bringing joy to our hearts. We have the gift of praise to lift up to Him in response to His love and faithfulness. God does not judge our musical abilities. He's not impressed with our talents, nor critical of the lack of them. He wants our honest praise, no matter how we present it. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Brag on the Lord

"I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
For I have said, 'Lovingkindness will be built up forever;
In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.'"
Psalm 89:1-2

Aren't you glad David's psalms are included in the Bible?  With words formed in his heart, he extolled the virtues of the Lord, leaving a written legacy of worship for generations to come. In Psalm 89 David sang of the eternal love and kindness of God. He praised Him for His faithfulness. I want to be like David and brag on the Lord. The Lord, my Redeemer, is full of love and kindness. His faithfulness is as solid as the mountains and as constant as the change of seasons. Your turn.

The Hand of the Lord

"Who among all these does not know

         That the hand of the LORD has done this, 

    In whose hand is the life of every living thing,

         And the breath of all mankind?" Job 12:9-10

All around us is the evidence of God's existence. The wild animals testify to His provision for their daily sustenance. There is no other hand to feed and shelter them, save His. We often forget where our food and housing really comes from and to whom we owe our every breath. The Lord has done this. All praise and thanks belong to Him.