Worship With CXMMXNS: A 3-Day DevotionalSample

Day 3: Praise Belongs

Psalms 103:1-5 NIV

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

I’ve heard it said that it is easier to praise God on the mountaintop than it is in the valley. That might be true at times. But my experience is that I am equally consumed by the circumstances I find myself in, good or bad. I am more inclined to celebrate the mountaintop than the One who brought me there, or inversely, to be focused on the obstacles that must be overcome, rather than on the One who is known as The Way.

I think that’s part of the reason why Thomas Ken’s hymn “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” has been such a gift to the Church over the past few centuries. Echoing James 1:17, it recognizes God as the source of every good and perfect gift (blessing), but draws our attention to the transcendent nature and character of God.

It’s easy for our worship to focus on the immanent because God has so wonderfully intervened in the human story and has shown Himself to be good. The blessings have flowed! But the great doxologies of the Church have continually called us to the transcendent, to the irrespective worthiness of a Holy God. Another way to say it: God is worthy of praise. His worthiness is not circumstantial. Circumstances can and will change. But the one thing that does not change is that the Lord is Holy. All of heaven (the heavenly hosts) is already singing, because He is worthy no matter what our circumstances might indicate.

We praise Yahweh, the I Am, the One who is worthy, whether we see it, feel it, or sing it. Yet, at the same time, how amazing is it that when we gather together in unity to agree with all of heaven, and with God, that He is worthy? What He has done flows from how good He is; all the praise belongs to Him, no matter what we are experiencing in the moment. We have hope beyond our circumstances. For His is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory. He is in control.

Prayer:

Lord, You are worthy, no matter what. When I am overwhelmed by my circumstances, please grant me perspective, and give me a song to sing. Lift my eyes to see the greater reality—that You are the Lord, and You are good. Remind me of Your blessings, that they come from You and only You. Remind me of the ways You have shown Your faithfulness and holiness to us throughout creation. And like the heavenly hosts, may my response be praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.