WORDS OF LIFE DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2024
REV. EKOW ESHUN
COMMIT TO A LIFE OF PRAISE
SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 150:6 (NKJV)
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
What an interesting instruction you and I have here in the scripture! It is a challenge to live a godly and thankful lifestyle. This lifestyle doesn’t depend on what the Lord may do for us. It is a reflection of who He is and His value in our lives. The story is told about King Hezekiah who once got sick unto death and sought God for divine healing.
After he got healed, he was full of thanksgiving to God. Isaiah 38, verses 18 to 20 records something interesting king Hezekiah said as he continued to praise God after his recovery.
” …death cannot praise you. Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your truth. The living, the living man, he shall praise you, as I do this day……” (NKJV)
King Hezekiah came so close to death and this gave him a new perspective of life, death and praise. Praising God, therefore meant everything to him.
Praise is for the living. It is for you and I especially, that is, those of us who are naturally and spiritually alive. We must take this even more seriously. Do we have to come close to death like Hezekiah in order to remember that our life is for His praise? Certainly No. All we need to do is to follow the instruction of scripture, with Hezekiah’s encouragement in mind.
As believers, we will have our own share of challenging situations in our daily walk of faith like King Hezekiah. However, we must get used to praising God for who He is in our lives. Many times, if we are not careful, our feelings and especially our senses would keep us from praising God. Why? Because our life situation may look very hopeless and difficult. In spite of all the warfare and afflictions we go through, the scriptures encourage us to praise Him.
Rather than complaining, crying or worrying about a difficult situation that you and I can’t change on our own, we should focus on praising Him. The Lord is our refuge and strength. He is a very present help in trouble.
PRAYER
It is always a good thing to praise you, Holy Father. You are worthy of all my praise. No love comes close to the love you have shown me. Your lovingkindness has literally shaped me and sustained me till now. That’s why I make my dedication to praise you continually in Jesus name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
PSALM 149: 1-4
Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people…