Day 16: Psalms of Praise & Thanksgiving

“I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:2-3, NKJV)
 
When was the last time you gushed over a work of art, a movie star, or a TJ Maxx bargain?

Often, we don’t know how to praise.  “What do I say? How do I do it?”

Actually, praise isn’t that difficult – it’s just foreign to us.

Unless we’re fans.

Let’s face it – fans gush.  You know how – you do it every day.

So how would praising God be any different?

The thing is, when we praise movie stars or cashmere sweaters, we know WHY we’re praising.  There is an element of admiration for the item or person.

You know the reason for your praise.

Psalm 138:2-3 lists five reasons to praise the Lord.

1. For Your lovingkindness

There is no human on earth who loves unconditionally like God does.  We can trust in His love!     

       2. For Your truth
God’s truth frees our minds from chains of doubt.  
       
       3 .For You have magnified Your Word above all Your name
God holds His Word as proof that He is Who He says, and He acts in faithfulness.

        4. In the day when I cried out, You answered me
We are assured of God’s answers – even in His silence; trust is key.
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        5. And made me bold with strength in my soul

God infuses strength and boldness when we call to Him.  The fruitful bounty of prayer is at our fingertips.

Praise God for these reasons today – hide them in your heart (or iphone notes) so you won’t forget. Daily, remind yourself WHY you praise.

Ruthie