Praising God's Greatness

​Meditation
Psalm 145:1—I exalt You my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever.
 
Psalm 145 is one of my favorite psalms in the Bible.  Aside from the eleven different verbs or participles used to praise or recognize God, the entire twenty-one verses are a tribute to God’s greatness.  The predominant verb is the word praise (used six times).  In addition, the words exalt, honor, declare, proclaim, speak, give a testimony, sing, thank, and informing, are used in the Holman translation.  Five times God’s greatness is specifically highlighted.  

Start your day off right by meditating on this potent psalm—it will massage your mind—creating a positive, uplifting perspective.  If you are having a bad day, read Psalm 145.  Take your mind away from whatever is burdening you and reflect on God’s greatness.  Enter in with David in recognizing how incredible God is.  In addition to praising God for who He is, David applauds Him for fifteen different actions He takes on behalf of His people.  He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, great in love, good to everyone, faithful to His words, a helper to all who fall, a raiser of the oppressed, a giver of food, a desire-fulfiller, righteous, near to those who call on Him . . .

God is your King.  He loves you.  He didn’t just make you and walk away.  He formed you with an eternal intent to fellowship with you and involve you in His kingdom plan.  When we consider this, how can it not fill our hearts with joy? 

Stop focusing on momentary struggles.  Put to death the “woe is me” attitude or victim mentality that hamstrings so many people.  Don’t let that define your mindset.  Think about this.  To dwell in disappointment, bathe in self-pity, feed discontentment, and concentrate on setbacks is to doubt God.  It is like saying to Him: “My problems are more significant than your ability to bless and minister to me.”  

Are there times when we should mourn or be sad?  Certainly! Just don’t turn those seasons into mental icebergs that you endlessly float upon.
​
Praise is intoxicating.  It is medicine to our souls.  It is the honey of worship and the act that delightsour Father.  He deserves it and we benefit from it.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
The highest expression of faith is not prayer in its ordinary sense of petition, but prayer in its sublimest expression of praise.—Friderich von Hügel 
 
©2017 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)