March 22, 2022 (Tuesday)
Pre-Easter Theme: What Jesus Taught Us
Theme for this week: We Can Love God
“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 106:1 ESV).
“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, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-22 ESV).
We praise God because His love is steadfast. It will not change. He keeps His promises. His purpose — loving us — is fixed and His resolve is firm. We can always rely on the fact that God loves us. Praise His Holy Name.
We praise people for their accomplishments because we want to encourage them in their efforts. God does not need our praise, but He allows it and encourages it. For our own benefit we praise the Lord for His love.
We praise God because He has given us life and a purpose for living. He gives life meaning.
I recall singing the Doxology at many meetings through the years. I once heard a congregation from many nations sing the Doxology together; that was quite the undertaking. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above, ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” With so many languages
it was impossible to discern their words, but singing it together gave a clear message: He is Lord of all. Praise Him.
There are three great reasons to praise God: Creation, Providence, and Redemption. All around us is the grandeur of creation. Science has opened up the heavens for us to marvel at the solar system, galaxies, and universe. The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows forth His handiwork. Providence is the evidence of God’s hand guiding history and working with us in our individual lives. What would we do without His daily presence? Redemption is what God has provided for us through the death, burial and resurrection of His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, let us praise Him! Praise Him!
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby
Music: Chester G. Allen
1869
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Let us praise Him at all times and be like the prophet Habakkuk who was experiencing tough days when he said, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls–Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NKJV).