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God deserves our praise and thanks
From Psalm 111: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
The miles between our daughters and us are many; and the miles between where we are right now and the births of our grandchildren are many as well. Yet, last night through the wonders of technology and phone and tablet apps we took a trip down Memory Lane, all caused by a baby walker that has been used, quite reluctantly in most cases, by all four of our grandchildren. The kindling was our youngest grandchild, Eliana, sensing something is up, now wants to do all baby things, and state loudly,which she has many times, that she is the baby. Come April 29th, Lord willing, she will have a baby sister. But the photo of Eliana in the walker,and I wonder if that is the correct name for it, is the device with many wheels, a table of sorts, the chair for the baby, gadgets to entertain the baby and the ability to help the baby learn how to walk, made all of us share the photos of all our grand babies, and even some of our daughters with each other. Each photo made me say, Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord is a statement of praise and thanksgiving. Like David, you and I have much to be thankful for, for the things the Lord God has done have blessed our hearts; and it should lead us to church where joining with others, we can together say, Praise the Lord! And if you take time to study those works, you will be amazed and delighted. Look for the sun rise soon, and see what all is brought to light as that sun rises in the sky; join David as he says, "Full of honor and majesty is His work, and God's righteousness endures forever." And add to the list that David begins by listing God's graciousness, God's mercy, God's provision for all who ask, God's faithfulness in having shared and kept His covenant with all people. God shows His grace and power in all places, knowing no borders. Just like His works, God's teachings, God's Word, is faithful,just, and trustworthy. God has redeemed the believer. God's name is holy and awesome. And, as an awesome way to conclude this praise statement, the psalmist adds, "The fear (worship and respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" meaning just when we think we have seen and listed it all, God shares yet another blessing, and the list goes on and on.
Whatever challenge that may be before us, we stop and say, Praise the Lord! And we continue forward as God continues to bless us. Let us bless God!
PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You! May we live lives that always say, Praise the Lord! Let us have eyes to see and count, and lips and voices to say, Thank You! Praise the Lord!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
