Praise the Lord!, Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:1
Reading Psalm 150 reminds me to use everything I have—whether it’s music, my voice, or my actions—to create an atmosphere of worship. When I praise Him, my spirit feels refreshed, encouraged, and renewed. I think of praise as a way to recalibrate my soul, helping me to live out the purpose God has for me.
As I read this passage, I cannot help but reflect about 1 Corinthians 13, which reminds me that without love, my actions, including worship, are meaningless. In my walk with the Lord, I have consistently experienced that His Love draws me close to Him. Equally important, my fear of the Lord challenges me to die to my old self and take up my cross every day. (What does taking up your cross daily look like for you?) In the same way, I can tell my need for praising God by how I treat those around me or how I respond to life circumstances. (How can you tell it’s time to Praise the Lord?) I am convinced that every time I go to His presence is an opportunity for me to grow and mature to become more Christ-like.
I have also learned from many worship leaders that "true praise is about the posture of our hearts, not our external circumstances." So I come to God as I am, trusting Him to purify me, give Him my honest praise as I start depending more on Him. Let our praise today be a pleasant fragrance to the One who deserves all glory.
Raul Chibas
Heavenly Father, I praise You with all I have. Fill my heart with love so that others can see Your love in me. Transform my life to be more like you. May my life glorify Your name, and let my lifesong sing to You! In Jesus' name, Amen
