Every human being has one foundational choice every single day. And this choice determines everything. This singular decision makes the difference, determining whether we will be joyful or upset, peaceful or discontent, usable or useless, wise or foolish, intimate or distant from God.
The choice: Will I choose right now to praise God with humble gratitude ... or not?
You may think it is not that simple, but it simply is.
This praise flows from many things, most of all a glad surrender to Him and instant obedience. But there is a DAILY practice that will make this choice easier. It’s summarized in a brief poem I heard as a child.
DAVID’S GAZE
One of the most remarkable men of God, King David, gave us the richest hymns and songs in history as he lived a profoundly impactful life. He tells us in Psalm 33 why we should start praising our great King at the beginning of each day. Look at his reasoning for continual praise (in whatever circumstance we may encounter).
PRAISE FITS YOU
Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones. Praise is becoming to the upright.” (Vs. 1)
Praise fits us. It wears well on us. It's our best clothing. For one who has been changed, redeemed, blessed, and given all the resources of heaven, it would not look good for us to be sullen and angry, bitter and ungrateful. Like a scornful face on a blessed child, or a cigarette hanging from the mouth of an elegant woman, ingratitude is not becoming.
WE CAN SING NEW SONGS
“Sing to Him a new song” (vs. 3)
Every day, there are thousands of things to thank God for. Our whole piligrimage on earth should be filled with unfolding, deepening praise. But this will only happen as we lift our eyes from this earth and “fix our eyes,” as Paul says, on where Christ dwells (Colossians 3:1-4).
WE SHOULD SING SKILLFUL SONGS
“Play skillfully with a shout of joy” (Vs. 3)
This does not mean we have to be the best musicians. Far from it. This is not just about music or musical ability. Each of us should grow in our ability to worship Him well … and we can. Worship is seeing God as He is and giving Him what He deserves and should be done 24/7. We can praise with greater understanding and deeper gratitude every day.
Surprisingly, our most skillful songs are birthed in our hardest seasons. It is here we find the depth of our weakness and the breadth of His strength. The limits of our understanding, but the unlimitless wisdom of God which is freely given to those who ask. New songs come--the best songs come--in these days.
If we don't look up and see Him, the hardness of our circumstances can make us hard, bitter, unforgiving. We draw wrong conclusions about life and most tragically, about God.
WHAT GOD SAYS AND DOES AND IS SHOULD CAUSE US TO PRAISE HIM!
“For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice. (Vs. 4-5)
The more we gaze upon Him each day, the more we are convinced of His perfect goodness and astounding faithfulness. We see fresh, stunning nuances of Him. What He says is always right, what He does is always faithful, what He loves is always just.
EVERYTHING AROUND US REMINDS US OF HIM (IF WE HAVE EYES TO SEE)
“The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth, all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (Vs. 5-8)
If we look up, we see Him; or look around, we see Him; or look inside our own complex bodies, we see the creative hand of God. All of creation sings to us of His greatness and love, and we should join them in their praise.
HE’S RULING OVER ALL
“For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations. He frustrates the plans of the people. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen for His inheritance.” (Vs. 9-12)
Godless dictators rise and fall and are used for ultimate purposes (often to show us evil in all its shame and turn us back to God). If we fill our mind with the worlds news and their evaluations, we are filled with despair.
God oversees the world with exacting precision, moving it to a Divine end. The whole world will see this ultimately and bow, but who gazes upon the Lord daily sees it now and can be lifted from despair to restful peace.
WE HAVE HIS EYE UPON US AS WE BELIEVE IN HIM!
“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness … Our soul waits for the Lord, for His is our help and shield. Our heart rejoices in Him because we trust in His holy name.” (Vs. 18-22)
My firstborn son was playing his first soccer as a small boy. He had no idea what he was doing and was nervous. I stood on the sidelines at every game, and my eye was constantly on him. He would often look to the sidelines, and I’d catch his eye and give him a “thumbs up sign” which he would return, and suddenly everything was okay. He’s in his 40’s now. We constantly give each other that assuring thumbs up sign to this day. He knows I’m with him.
We have the Father, and He has us! We are in the pupil of His eye, the center of His attention, and He is WITH US (the greatest promise we have). His presence is sufficient for all we face. What more could we possibly need to walk in praise?
Gaze upon Him this morning, and every morning, not quickly and casually, but deeply and desperately. Memorize verses, promises, Psalms and songs. Gaze on Him and let your life be well dressed by the becoming garments of unceasing praise! That one choice right now will make all the difference.
