March 29 Morning Verse of the Day

63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. The psalmist is convinced, most likely by his vision of God in the sanctuary, that life without God’s “love” (hesed) is not worth living. The verb “glorify,” or “extol” (shbh), occurs parallel to “praise” (hll) in Psalm 117:1, attesting to its other five occurrences in the Psalter as “praise.”
63:4 I will lift up my hands. This gesture of worship was a symbol of reaching up to God, much like the expression “lift up my soul” (Ps. 25:1 ESV). It occurs in Psalms 28:2; 119:48; and 134:2, as well as here.

Bullock, C. H. (2015). Psalms 1–72 (M. L. Strauss & J. H. Walton, Eds.; Vol. 1, p. 480). Baker Books.

3. Every verse in this beautiful Psalm is a pearl, because every part and portion of it points to Jesus. Whether we hear Christ during his wilderness-exercises thus express himself, or whether David, as one of his redeemed, during his persecutions, or the Church in any of her afflicted members; in either case, or altogether, how fully do these words convey the universal sentiment which runs through and pervades the whole body! What can satisfy an awakened soul but God, who is the life and portion of the soul? Thy love (saith the church, speaking to Christ) is better than wine. And so it is indeed. For though wine may comfort the afflicted, yet it cannot give life to the dead. But Jesus’s love hath given everlasting life to sinners who were dead in trespasses and sins. Song, 1:2; Ephes. 2:1.
4. Reader! do not overlook the Lord Jesus here. As the great and almighty Aaron of his people, he lifted up his hands to bless God for the people, and to bless his people in God. And while viewing Christ in this priestly service (which, remember, is an eternal priesthood), let our hands, our hearts, our whole souls be lifted up to bless a covenant God in Christ; and that, not only for the hour, for the day, but for the whole of life. Precious Lord! I would say, for myself and Reader, mercifully grant that our whole lives may be praising lives, and that when the last praise is closing upon our dying lips of the body, the soul may go on and continue the ardent hymn until we arrive to join the hallelujahs before the throne of God and the Lamb! Rev. 7:9–12.

Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Job–Psalms (Vol. 4, pp. 356–357). Logos Bible Software.

Ver. 3.—Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. The complete resignation of the psalmist, his sense of God’s “loving-kindness,” and his desire to “praise,” not to complain, are, under the circumstances, most wonderful, most admirable, and furnish a pattern to the Church in all ages.
Ver. 4.—Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy Name (comp. Pss. 104:33; 146:2). The purpose of man’s creation, the end of his being, his main employment throughout eternity, is the praise of God.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Psalms (Vol. 2, p. 23). Funk & Wagnalls Company.

3. Now he goes a step further. How much further, any reader of his words may judge by considering whether his own unprompted estimate would have taken such a form as this. But it is a true estimate, vouched for by the whole army of martyrs, and put into similar words by Paul in Acts 20:24 (AV): ‘Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.’
4. The inwardness of David’s devotion was completed by what was outward and corporate, as verse 2 has shown, the one reinforcing the other. To lift up … hands or eyes (John 17:1) to heaven was to give the body its share in expressing worship (cf. 134:2) or supplication (28:2; cf. 1 Kgs 8:54). The New Testament speaks the same language (1 Tim. 2:8).

Kidner, D. (1973). Psalms 1–72: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 15, pp. 243–244). InterVarsity Press.

WEEK 11 | SINGING PRAISE TO GOD OUTWARDLY AND INWARDLY

PSALM 148–150

 Praise the LORD!
 Praise the LORD from the heavens;
 Praise Him in the heights!
 Praise Him, all His angels;
 Praise Him, all His hosts!
 Praise Him, sun and moon;
 Praise Him, all stars of light!
 Praise Him, highest heavens,
 And the waters that are above the heavens!
 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
 For He commanded and they were created.
 He has also established them forever and ever;
 He has made a decree which will not pass away.

 Praise the LORD from the earth,
 Sea monsters and all deeps;
 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
 Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
 Mountains and all hills;
 Fruit trees and all cedars;
 Beasts and all cattle;
 Creeping things and winged fowl;
 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
 Princes and all judges of the earth;
 Both young men and virgins;
 Old men and children.

 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
 For His name alone is exalted;
 His glory is above earth and heaven.
 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
 Praise for all His godly ones;
 Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
 Praise the LORD!

 Praise the LORD!
 Sing to the LORD a new song,
 And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
 Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
 Let them praise His name with dancing;
 Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
 He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

 Let the godly ones exult in glory;
 Let them sing for joy on their beds.
 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
 And a two-edged sword in their hand,
 To execute vengeance on the nations
 And punishment on the peoples,
 To bind their kings with chains
 And their nobles with fetters of iron,
 To execute on them the judgment written;
 This is an honor for all His godly ones.
 Praise the LORD!

 Praise the LORD!
 Praise God in His sanctuary;
 Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
 Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
 Praise Him with harp and lyre.
 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
 Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
 Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
 Praise the LORD!

O LORD, in focusing our prayers heavenward
and considering the majestic theme of worship,
we naturally turn to the book of Psalms.
The final five psalms in our psalter all begin,
“Praise the LORD!”
Indeed, Lord, You are worthy of this great crescendo,
this ringing, jubilant call to praise
that echoes throughout the ages.

We add our voices to the eternal choir in praise of Your holy name,
for You alone are exalted forever.
Your glory is above earth and heaven,
far above everything You have made.
We Your people therefore join together in prayer
and sing to You “a new song,” which is the song of redemption.
Father, these psalms enjoin lively praise,
employing all that we are and have—
along with stringed, wind, and percussion instruments;
in the dance; and with every ounce of our breath.
In fact, the concluding verse of the final psalm is,
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!”

We realize that when these psalms were first penned and sung,
the redemption they celebrate
was understood only through Your promise.
It was explained through types and shadows—
with so much of what was to come
still veiled in darkness.

But now Christ has brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
Now through the atoning work of Christ,
we understand the mystery of salvation—
that on the cross, He rendered a blood sacrifice,
to be received by faith—
not earned with any merit of our own.

For we have no merit.
We are fallen, sinful, needy, helpless sinners—
with no ability to free ourselves from the bondage of our sin
and therefore incapable of earning Your favor
through any works of our own.
But Christ has supplied the righteousness we need,
and Your Word promises
that all who call on His name will be saved.
We claim that promise by faith,
filled with profound gratefulness
that all Your promises in Christ are yea and amen.

On this side of the cross, therefore, our praise
is enriched, enhanced, and enlarged,
since it encompasses the great glory
of the incarnate Son of God
in His mighty work at Calvary.
We are greatly blessed to have this full picture,
and offer You our praise
with profound yet humble gratitude.
May a song ring from our hearts at all times
because of the greatness of the salvation
You have given to us in Your Son,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (2014). A year of prayer: growing closer to god week after week (pp. 59–63). Harvest House Publishers.

The Midnight Hour | Thoughts about God

The Midnight Hour

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

A few years ago, a popular Christian song depicted Paul and Silas at the midnight hour standing in a Roman prison cell, beaten, battered, and abandoned. Yet, their voices, singing praise to God, could be heard above the other prisoners’ sounds of despair.

As I imagined Paul and Silas’ bloody and bruised hands lifted in genuine heartfelt praise to God, I longed to have a heart that would praise him despite the circumstances. I pleaded for God to develop such a heart within me.

During that time, my thirteen-year-old daughter, April, suffered from curvature of the spine. Her condition worsened to the degree that it required surgery to prevent life-threatening heart or lung damage. My husband and I researched the doctor and knew he had performed the surgery multiple times. After the surgery, April would be in severe pain for an extended period of time. God had impressed it upon my heart to do a Bible study about suffering. I thought God was preparing me to help April endure the suffering she’d experience after surgery. But he had a different purpose.

April never woke up after that surgery. That began the most difficult journey of my life — learning to live without her. At times when I was drowning in grief, I’d praise God for the moments I shared with April.

Instead of focusing on what I’d lost, I’d focus on what we’d had. Through that journey, I’ve learned our strength to enduring difficult times doesn’t come from within ourselves but from God who inhabits the praises of his people.

Dear Lord, in the midst of suffering, help me find the boldness to praise you anyway knowing that you are in control, are always there, and care about me. Thank you for your love and mercy for me. Amen.

By Veda Lucas
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Companionship of Joy and Pain
• What is there to say when tragedy strikes?
• Trusting God in Suffering
• Suffering and Sovereignty

---

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

---

The post The Midnight Hour can be found at Thoughts about God.

JANUARY 25 | Worthy Of Praise

SCRIPTURE READING: Philippians 4:5–23
KEY VERSE: Psalm 147:1

       Praise the LORD!
       For it is good to sing praises to our God;
       For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

Whenever you read a passage of Scripture concerning suffering, you almost always find an exhortation to praise God.
It seems an odd mix—the moment when you are enduring the greatest internal stress is the time when you least feel like offering praise and thanksgiving. In her book 31 Days of Praise, Ruth Myers explains the connection:

Why do I at times feel reluctant to praise in the midst of everyday trials: when I hear news that makes me anxious about someone I love, or when I face a major disappointment, or when I’m angry or under a lot of pressure?
Could it be that one of Satan’s major strategies is to divert us from praise? After all, he knows that God delights in our praise, and that doesn’t exactly make him happy. He also detests the rich benefits praise brings to us and others. Or is it simply that our flesh prevails over our spirits, dampening our desire to glorify God? Might it be some of both?…
Praise flourishes as you weed and water and fertilize your spiritual garden in which it grows. It becomes more constant as you nurture your soul on God’s Word and walk in His ways, depending upon the Holy Spirit. It gets richer and more spontaneous as you grow in your knowledge of how worthy the Lord is to receive honor and glory and praise.

You are worthy to receive praise, O Lord. I praise You today with my whole heart.

Stanley, C. F. (2000). Into His presence (p. 26). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 6 | Let’s Sing!

Psalm 95:1

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Isn’t it wonderful that you could be on your hands and knees, scrubbing a filthy floor and singing the music of Zion?

Music helps you transport your spirit from mundane corners to majestic splendor. The body follows where the heart leads—and vice versa, as a matter of fact. Your prayers will be more focused and your mind more alert if you’ve aligned yourself on your knees. Some of your best worship might occur when you’re jogging or driving a car, when your body is tensed to the task. Do you want to know how to incorporate worship into every moment of your day? Music is an excellent place to start.

Let’s sing unto the Lord because it’s one more way to give our bodies to His praises. Let’s sing because music expresses levels of adoration we can’t find in the spoken word. Let’s sing because the people of the world will be attracted to our music. And let’s sing because we absolutely can’t help it! Our Lord reigns!¹

---

¹  Jeremiah, D. (2002). Sanctuary: finding moments of refuge in the presence of God (p. 7). Integrity Publishers.

January 2 | Sing to the Lord a new song.

I sing aloud to You, Lord God, my strength; I make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. I raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute. You have put a new song in my mouth—praise to my God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in You, Lord.

I can be strong and of good courage … not afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Lord God, I know the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now my salvation is nearer than when I first believed. Therefore let me cast off the works of darkness and … put on the armor of light. Let me walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But may I put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Lord, You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow—and of You I can always sing. Help me find joy and courage as I sing of Your goodness.

Isaiah 42:10; Psalm 81:1–2; Psalm 40:3; Joshua 1:9; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 13:11–14¹

---

¹  Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 11). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

January 2.—Morning. [Or January 3.] | “Praise ye the Lord.”

Genesis 1:14–23

AND God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. (There was light before the appearance of sun or moon; but God made these the bearers thereof, that they might declare his glory. He could have done without them, but he did not please so to do. He could enlighten men’s minds without his ministers or his church; but, if he chooses to use them as lights in the world, let us be thankful for them, and pray for them.)

¹⁶ And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Thus a chaos of light was reduced to order. Order is a law of God. Families are unhappy without it.

¹⁷ And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

¹⁸ And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

The delightful alternation of the day so suitable for labour, and the night so proper for rest, is certainly “good” for us in many ways, and we ought to adore the goodness of God therein.

¹⁹ And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

²⁰ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Thus the Lord’s work of creation advanced to higher stages each day, and we shall find it so in grace; he will yet reveal choicer mercies to us.

^{21, 22} And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

²³ And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (The inconceivable numbers of fish and fowl in the earth show how potent was this primeval blessing. Let but the Lord bless his church in the same manner, and her converts shall be as the stars of heaven for multitude. Such wonders of creation ought not to be rehearsed without a song of praise: let us therefore turn to—

Psalm 148

¹ Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

² Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

³ Praise ye him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye stars of light.

⁴ Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

⁶ He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

⁸ Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

⁹ Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

¹⁰ Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

¹¹ Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

¹² Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

¹⁴ He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. (All this day let us praise God with our hearts, words, and actions; for he has dealt very kindly with us as a family. Blessed be his name.)

Praise him, ye gladdening smiles of mom;

Praise him, O silent night;

Tell forth his glory all the earth;

Praise him, ye stars of light!

Praise him, ye stormy winds, that rise

Obedient to his word;

Mountains, and hills, and fruitful trees,

Join ye and praise the Lord!

Praise him, ye heavenly hosts, for ye

With purer lips, can sing—

Glory and honour, praise and power

To him, the Eternal King!¹

---

¹  Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 3). Baker Book House.

DECEMBER 28 | BORED IN HEAVEN

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

—Revelation 4:8

I have been at funerals where the presiding minister preached the deceased right into heaven. Yet the earthly life of the departed plainly said that he or she would be bored to tears in a heavenly environment of continuous praise and adoration of God.

This is personal opinion, but I do not think death is going to transform our attitudes and disposition. If in this life we are not really comfortable talking or singing about heaven, I doubt that death will transform us into enthusiasts. If the worship and adoration of God are tedious now, they will be tedious after the hour of death. I do not know that God is going to force any of us into His heaven. I doubt that He will say to any of us, “You were never interested in worshiping Me while you were on earth, but in heaven I am going to make that your greatest interest and your ceaseless occupation!”

Controversial? Perhaps. But I am trying to stir you up, to encourage you to delight in a life of praise and spiritual victory! JIV067-068

May my worship on earth prepare me for the enthusiastic celebration that will be heaven. May I learn to delight in a life of praise. Amen. ¹

---

¹  Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (2015). Tozer on the almighty god: a 365-day devotional. Moody Publishers.

December 26 | Finishing the Course

Scripture reading: Psalm 150

Key verse: Psalm 148:1

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

Praise Him in the heights!

When you feel weak, take time to pray. When you feel lonely, take time to praise God for the things He has given. When You are angry, ask the Lord to strengthen your heart with love.

Wherever God leads you, be grateful, and you will know the encouragement that comes as a result of your faith and hope and trust in Christ.

Francis of Assisi exercised his gratitude and praised God even in difficult circumstances:

Sing a new song to Him,

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

For the Lord is great, He is worthy of all praise.

He inspires us with awe,

For all that He is and does is far beyond all lesser gods.

Give to the Lord, every family, and all nations,

Give to the Lord glory and praise!

Give Him all the glory that is due His marvelous name!

To do this is to offer your bodies,

And to take up His cross for you,

And to follow His most holy commands, from now until the end. (Psalm for the Nativity)

Turn your weaknesses over to Jesus, and He will provide the strength you need to finish the course.

Lord, I am weak, but I know You will provide the strength I need to finish the course!¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (2002). Seeking His face (p. 377). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

December 14 | Make His praise glorious.

Father, this people You have formed for Yourself; we shall declare Your praise. You will cleanse me from all my iniquity by which I have sinned against You, and You will pardon all my iniquities by which I have sinned and by which I have transgressed against You. Then it shall be to You a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth. Let me continually offer the sacrifice of praise to You, that is, the fruit of my lips, giving thanks to Your name.

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Who is like You, O Lord, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? I will praise Your name, Lord God, with a song, and will magnify You with thanksgiving. The angels sing the song of Moses, Your servant, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!”

My merciful, gracious, almighty, and all-loving God, You alone are worthy of praise. May my life be a song of praise to You!

Psalm 66:2; Isaiah 43:21; Jeremiah 33:8–9; Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 86:12–13; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 69:30; Revelation 15:3¹

---

¹  Jeremiah, D. (2007). Life-Changing Moments With God (p. 373). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

November 30 | A Glimpse of Heavenly Praise

scripture reading:	Revelation 4
key verse:	Psalm 89:5

The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.

It is wonderful to read of the tidal waves of worship that unceasingly sweep over heaven’s celestial shores. But what good does that do you as you wake up to a rainy morning, a car with a dead battery, an angry boss, or a sick child? How can you worship with such sheer, constant joy in the face of a world that has only tribulations?

Well, you know this: God wants you to experience the pleasure of worship now as well as in heaven, so He must have a way.

And He does. Each time you open the Word of God, you encounter God, revealed accurately and divinely to you during your earthly journey. As you sink your mind and heart into studying and meditating on His Word, you will learn more and more about God and His ways.

As you do, a sense of growing reverence and awe should spring up within. Worship of God should adorn your days. He has given you His Word so that you might know and praise Him as often as you like.

Are you taking advantage of the opportunity now? If so, heaven will simply be a continuum of adoration.

Mighty God, teach me to worship You now so that I will be prepared for eternity. Let me learn to lift heavenly praise while still here on earth.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

November 28 | Praise in Troubled Times

scripture reading:	Psalm 143
key verse:	1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Like a flashlight, praise is the most illuminating in your hour of darkness. The problem is that when trouble strikes, the last thing you feel like doing is giving thanks to God. But if you can regain your worship composure for a moment, you can become the turning point for deliverance, renewed trust, and confident hope.

Praising God in times of trouble focuses your attention on God, not the problem. When you worship, His presence, although always near, becomes even closer. Just as what happens when you wipe away the morning mist from the windshield, worship clears your vision and helps you see God in the midst of your affliction.

When you praise God in times of trouble, your sense of anticipation is intensified. God is all–powerful, all–loving, all–wise; and He is able to work in your circumstances for your good and His glory.

When you praise Him, you realize that you are not at the mercy of whim or fate, but your times are in His capable hands. Are you praising God in your trouble? Do so; and although your problem may not dissolve, God’s ability to handle your problem will pervade your heart and mind.

Lord, as I worship You today, clear my vision and help me see You in the midst of my circumstances. I am not the victim of circumstances. My destiny is in Your hands.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

November 26 | A Heart of True Praise

scripture reading:	John 12:1–8
key verse:	Psalm 81:1

Sing aloud to God our strength;
Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.

The scene was familiar. Jesus was at Lazarus’s house in Bethany, reclining at the table with His friends. How He loved spending time there! However, the dynamics of their relationship had changed dramatically. Only six days before, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead in a miracle that drew many to faith.

Mary’s relationship with the Lord had changed as well. She knew His death was at hand. Warren Wiersbe commented on her actions: “It was an act of pure love on her part, for she knew her Lord was about to endure suffering and death.… In a sense, Mary was showing her devotion to Jesus before it was too late.… Her act of love and worship was public, spontaneous, sacrificial, lavish, personal, and unembarrassed.”

Quietly she knelt next to Jesus at the table, and without a word, she delicately poured out every ounce of perfume onto His feet. Then she wiped the costly rivulets away with her hair until the entire house was filled with the aroma of the spikenard and with the even sweeter fragrance of her sacrifice.

Praise doesn’t have a single, narrow definition. Praise can be Mary’s gentle, silent gift that expressed the longing of her heart to worship. Praising is singing songs and saying private prayers. As you grow in the Lord, your praise will assume many forms, and all are worthy when given out of love for God.

O God, teach me to praise You. To sing. To meditate. To rejoice. Expand my definition of what it means to truly worship You.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

November 24 | The Cure for a Heavy Heart

scripture reading:	1 Peter 2:1–10
key verse:	Psalm 27:6

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Praise seems to be a natural part of what we want to do when things are going our way. But on the days when the dishwasher breaks or the children are sick or the mechanic gives us bad news about the car, it is much more difficult to be effusive with thanksgiving.

God understands how your emotions are built; He made them. He also knows the cure for a heart weighed down by concerns and irritations—praise.

Praise focuses your attention on God. When you take a long and deliberate look at the character and ways of the Lord who loved you enough to die for you, your eyes are naturally shifted away from the difficulty and onto His ability to care for you.

Praise increases your faith. Telling God what you love about Him always involves reciting His past actions of might and power on your behalf. You can look back at the times He sent special provision at just the right moment and thank Him for them. This process results in a heart that expands with joy and security in Him.

Praise gives you a sense of identity. When you praise God, you are acting as one who belongs to Him. First Peter 2:9 says that you are a member of “a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (nasb). That is reason enough to praise Him forever.

Heavenly Father, when irritations and concerns come my way today, help me praise You. Enable me to look at Your provision in the past and rejoice at what You will do in the future.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1998). Enter His gates: a daily devotional. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

NOVEMBER 12 | WITH A LOUD VOICE

The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

—Luke 19:37-38

This does not mean, and I am not saying, that we must all worship alike. The Holy Spirit does not operate by anyone’s preconceived idea or formula. But this I know: When the Holy Spirit of God comes among us with His anointing, we become a worshiping people. This may be hard for some to admit, but when we are truly worshiping and adoring the God of all grace and of all love and of all mercy and of all truth, we may not be quiet enough to please everyone….

First, I do not believe it is necessarily true that we are worshiping God when we are making a lot of racket. But not infrequently worship is audible….

Second, I would warn those who are cultured, quiet, self-possessed, poised and sophisticated that if they are embarrassed in church when some happy Christian says “Amen!” they may actually be in need of some spiritual enlightenment. The worshiping saints of God in the Body of Christ have often been a little bit noisy. WHT014-015

Lord, may my worship be genuine and heartfelt, whether it be in quiet meditation or in loud exaltation! Amen. ¹

---

¹  Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (2015). Tozer on the almighty god: a 365-day devotional. Moody Publishers.

October 7 | STAND UP AND BLESS THE LORD

James Montgomery, 1771–1854

Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. (Nehemiah 9:5)

Many excellent opportunities to witness for the Lord are lost each day simply because of our timidity. Or perhaps we are with a group of colleagues when the Lord’s name is blasphemed, the gospel derided, the church’s hypocrites ridiculed … and we remain silent. How tragic that our noble words of praise on Sunday often leave us during the week when they are needed most.

Ye call Me Master and obey not, Ye call Me Light and see Me not, Ye call Me Way and walk not, Ye call Me Life and desire Me not, Ye call Me Wise and follow Me not, Ye call Me Fair and love Me not, Ye call Me rich and ask Me not, Ye call Me Eternal and see Me not, Ye call Me Noble and serve Me not, Ye call Me Mighty and honor Me not, Ye call Me just and fear Me not.

—Found on an old slab in the Cathedral of Lubeck, Germany

“Stand Up and Bless the Lord” was written by James Montgomery in 1824 especially for a Sunday school anniversary in Sheffield, England. It was based on Nehemiah 9:5. Montgomery was the editor of a newspaper in Sheffield and was known as an outspoken advocate for many humanitarian causes, especially abolition of slavery. His ideas for social reform were considered so radical that he was imprisoned two times. Other causes he championed included hymn singing in the Anglican church services, foreign missions, and the British Bible Society. James Montgomery wrote more than 400 hymns, earning him a lasting place as one of England’s finest hymn writers. May this challenge help you today.

Stand up and bless the Lord, ye people of His choice; stand up and bless the Lord your God with heart and soul and voice.

Though high above all praise, above all blessing high, who would not fear His holy name and laud and magnify?

O for the living flame, from His own altar brought, to touch our lips, our minds inspire, and wing to heav’n our thought!

God is our strength and song, and His salvation ours; then be His love in Christ proclaimed with all our ransomed pow’rs.

Stand up and bless the Lord—the Lord your God adore; stand up and bless His glorious name henceforth forevermore.

        For Today: 1 Chronicles 23:30; Psalm 51:15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 12:28

Refuse to be intimidated by those who seem hostile or indifferent to our Lord. Speak His praise graciously but boldly. Use this musical truth to help—¹

---

¹  Osbeck, K. W. (1996). Amazing grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions (p. 302). Kregel Publications.

October 6 | A Heart of True Praise

Scripture Reading: John 12:1–8

Key Verses: Psalm 73:25–26

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The scene was familiar. Jesus was at Lazarus’s house in Bethany, reclining at the table with His friends. How He loved spending time there. However, the dynamics of their relationship had changed dramatically. Only six days ago, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in a miracle that drew many to faith.

Mary’s relationship with the Lord had changed as well. She knew His death was at hand. Warren Wiersbe comments, “She anointed both His head and His feet. It was an act of pure love on her part, for she knew her Lord was about to endure suffering and death … In a sense, Mary was showing her devotion to Jesus before it was too late … Her act of love and worship was public, spontaneous, sacrificial, lavish, personal, and unembarrassed.”

Quietly she knelt down next to Jesus at the table, and without a word, she delicately poured out every ounce of perfume onto His feet. Then she wiped the costly rivulets away with her hair until the entire house was filled with the aroma of the nard and with the even sweeter fragrance of her sacrifice.

Praise doesn’t have a single, narrow definition. Praise can be Mary’s gentle, silent gift that expressed the longing of her heart to worship. Praising is singing songs and saying private prayers. As you grow in the Lord, your praise will assume many forms; and all are worthy when given out of love for God.

Master, give me a heart of true praise. Spontaneous. Lavish. Personal. Unembarrassed. I praise You!¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 293). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

October 5 | The Cure for a Heavy Heart

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:1–10

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Praise seems to be a natural part of what we want to do when things are going our way. But on the days when the dishwasher breaks or the children are sick or the mechanic gives you bad news about the car, it is much more difficult to be effusive with thanksgiving.

God understands how your emotions are built; He made them. He also knows the cure for a heart weighed down by concerns and irritations—praise.

Praise focuses your attention upon God. When you take a long and deliberate look at the character and ways of the Lord who loved you enough to die for you, your eyes are naturally shifted away from the difficulty and onto His ability to care for you.

Praise increases your faith. Telling God what you love about Him always involves reciting His past actions of might and power on your behalf. You can look back at the times He sent special provision at just the right moment and thank Him for them. This process results in a heart that expands with joy and security in Him.

Praise gives you a sense of identity. When you praise God, you act as one who belongs to Him. According to 1 Peter 2:9 (nasb), you are a member of “a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” That is reason enough to praise Him forever.

Lord, on difficult days—when I don’t feel like it—I still want to praise You. Thank You for delivering me from darkness into light. That is reason enough to praise You forever.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 292). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

October 4 | Preparation for Praise

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:1–36

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:24

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Some churches hold special services just for praise. The usual order of worship is set aside so that the entire time can be spent in the act of adoration of the Lord. Singing, prayer, and personal testimonies of God’s goodness are often key ingredients in such gatherings.

The idea of a praise service isn’t a new one, though. In the days of King David, the ark of the covenant was about to be returned to Jerusalem after months in the house of Obed-Edom (1 Chron. 14–16). However, David had earlier made a grievous mistake and angered the Lord. He decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem by transporting it in a manner directly opposing what God commanded.

David learned his lesson well, and his heart was filled with rejoicing at the blessing that would soon come to his people as a result of their obedience. At his directive, the priests made burnt sacrifices to God. A loaf of bread and some meat were given to every man and woman in the land, and spirits were bursting with anticipation.

Then came the final and most important part of the worship preparation: “He [David] appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the Lord God” (1 Chron. 16:4 nasb). David consecrated a time of praise, and that is what God wants you to do in response to His work.

Father, prepare my heart for praise. Let me learn its value and practice it regularly in response to Your wonderful works.¹

---

¹  Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 291). Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Morning, September 30: “Sing forth the honour of his name, make his praise glorious.”—Psalm 66:2

It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God’s most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his grace, is bound to praise God from day to day. It is true we have no authoritative rubric for daily praise; we have no commandment prescribing certain hours of song and thanksgiving: but the law written upon the heart teaches us that it is right to praise God; and the unwritten mandate comes to us with as much force as if it had been recorded on the tables of stone, or handed to us from the top of thundering Sinai. Yes, it is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute obligation of his life. Think not ye who are always mourning, that ye are guiltless in this respect, or imagine that ye can discharge your duty to your God without songs of praise. You are bound by the bonds of his love to bless his name so long as you live, and his praise should continually be in your mouth, for you are blessed, in order that you may bless him; “this people have I formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise”; and if you do not praise God, you are not bringing forth the fruit which he, as the Divine Husbandman, has a right to expect at your hands. Let not your harp then hang upon the willows, but take it down, and strive, with a grateful heart, to bring forth its loudest music. Arise and chant his praise. With every morning’s dawn, lift up your notes of thanksgiving, and let every setting sun be followed with your song. Girdle the earth with your praises; surround it with an atmosphere of melody, and God himself will hearken from heaven and accept your music.

“E’en so I love thee, and will love,

And in thy praise will sing,

Because thou art my loving God,

And my redeeming King.”¹

---

¹  Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.