A Matter Of The Will

It's time to Praise the Lord!

Praise Him -

...in the morning, at noontime, in the evening, at the midnight hour, in the early morning hours, at the dawning of a new day, at the setting of the sun, when everything is going well, when everything is falling apart, on the mountaintop, and in the valley! "While I live will I praise the LORD!"

Psalm 146:2 tells us - "While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."

"While I live will I praise the LORD" - David was determined in his heart that as long as he had breath, he would be sure to do one thing and one thing alone, and that was to praise the Lord. Even though life has its many twists and turns, he still declared - "...will I praise the LORD..." In spite of sickness, financial attack, family troubles, conflicts in relationships, etc,. he still decided that he was going to praise the Lord - "While I live...while I have any being."

The Holy Spirit is revealing a very important Truth to us today. Praising the Lord is not based on circumstances being just right, but it is based on an act of the will. It is something that we must resolve in our hearts that we will do - no matter what. No one can stop us either - when we have a made-up mind and a set will.

As long as God gives us breath...and no matter what the devil throws our way - we must be determined that we will praise God.

How should we Praise Him?

The Scriptures tell us to Praise Him "with our whole heart"(Psalm 9:1)..."greatly" and "continually" with our mouth(Psalm 34:1; Psalm 109:30)...entering "His gates with thanksgiving" and "His courts with Praise"(Psalm 100:4)...and with "instruments," dancing, and "high praises" (Psalm 149-150).

Who should Praise Him?

The Bible calls all of the "servants of the LORD" to praise Him(Psalm 113:1). It also commands all those who "fear the LORD" to do the same(Psalm 22:23). It tells us that those who are "seeking Him" will be praising as well(Psalm 22:26)..

Why should we Praise Him?

The Scriptures teach us that we should do so -

...because He is "God"(Psalm 118:28) and He is "good"(Psalm 100:5)

...for His "righteousness"(Psalm 7:17), "mighty acts" and "excellent greatness"(Psalm 150:2), "word"(Psalm 56:10), as well as His "goodness" and "wonderful works" that He performs on our behalf(Psalm 107:8)

...because it is so beautiful when we do(Psalm 33:1)

...for His "Great...Mercy" that moved Him to "deliver our soul from the lowest hell"(Psalm 86:13)

...and, lastly, because He "delivers us out of all trouble"(Psalm 54:7).

Can everyone Praise Him?

There is one class of people that cannot.

Psalm 115:17 says - "The dead praise not the LORD..."

Those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" cannot do so. The burden of sin that they are carrying weighs them down. Only those who have been "quickened...together with Christ" can lift up His Holy Name in Praise(Ephesians 2:1-5).

Only those who have been raised from the death of sin can sing that old familiar song -

"Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,

Since I laid my burdens down...

I feel better, so much better,
Since I laid my burdens down...

I am walking, talking with Jesus,
Since I laid my burdens down..."

In Psalm 150:6, David exhorted - "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD..."

In Psalm 146:2, he resolved that he would be counted among that number - "While I live will I praise the Lord...while I have any being."

We must determine today that we are going to Praise God - no matter what.

It is not based on feelings or emotions.

It is a matter of the will.

We are alive, aren't we?

Then let's Praise Him.

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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