Hebrews 13.15
“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
As we respond to the call of Jesus and walk with Him every day on the path, we are invited—we are commanded—to respond in praise and worship. Indeed, the admonition to praise and worship God is found throughout scripture. In many ways, praise and worship are the heartbeat of our faith. It is simply the proper response to who God is and what He has done.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Psalm 103.1-3)
What I love about this Psalm is that it shows authentic praise comes from deep within us. Twice the psalmist says “O my soul,” revealing that he is praising God from the very center and heart of his life. To strengthen it even further, the psalmist says that he blesses the Lord with “all that is within me.”
He praises God with his entire being. He has thought deeply about God’s character, and he responds in praise. He has thought deeply about God’s grace and forgiveness, and he responds in praise. He has thought deeply about God’s steadfast love and mercy, and he responds in praise.
This same deep reverence for God is expressed in Psalm 9.1-2: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”
True praise comes from the heart. It is a deep, inner response to God’s greatness and mercy that expresses itself in outward worship.
At the end of each devotional this week I will post a link to a worship song. Today it is “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/vSxocnIaN0A
Coram Deo
