Praise

Praise

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 113:2-3, NIV

I’m not real great with geography, but when I check into a hotel that has clocks on the wall showing the time in different countries of the world, I’m fascinated. I also enjoy looking at my world atlas and realizing that when it’s 6 AM in Chicago, it’s 7 PM in Singapore and 9 PM in Sydney, Australia.

One of the pastors in my church was extending the call to worship in a Sunday morning service recently. After he read Psalm 113:2-3, he pointed out that because the sun is always rising somewhere over the earth each hour, God is receiving praise from his people constantly! I get goose bumps just thinking about that. First someone worships God in Nairobi, then London, then Rio de Janeiro, then New York, then Chicago, and the list of cities continues, as does the praise. Of course, the angels praise God without end in heaven.

Martin Marty writes, “Christians are not the only people who can bring some justice into the world. They are not the only people who can add to the world’s art or philosophy. They are not the only people who put out newsletters and go to committee meetings and play in bowling leagues. But they are the only ones who praise Jesus Christ.”^a

Praise is unique to Christians, and as long as we have breath we are privileged to be able to praise God!

Father,

I want to praise you more—both when I’m alone and when I’m with my children. Help me to see each day as a new opportunity to worship you. Amen.