May 5

May 5, 2012    Psalm 145   

 

A few years ago George Barna wrote a book, "If Things are So Good, Why Do I Feel so Bad?" In the book he points out we are better educated, more traveled, have bigger homes and cars, have more leisure time and high-tech toys and receive the most sophisticated medical care available. Yet with all these advantages, Americans are more cynical, skeptical, lonely and overwhelmed than ever before. One must ask, why do we have this dichotomy between our external advantages and internal attitudes?

At the heart of the issue is the issue of the heart. The core issue is our relationship with God or the lack of it. In Psalm 145 David focuses on the greatness of his God through all the highs and lows of life. As we have seen over the past days, it is "praise" that keeps our lives centered and healthy. Without praise, it is so easy to become a victim of spiritual myopia.

Entering the victory starts with a firm volitional decision, "I will." He doesn't wait until circumstances are right. He doesn't wait until he feels like it. He states that every day he will be involved with this praise. It is easy for us to shut down the praise when the storm clouds roll in. Storms are actually the best time to roll out the praise. They have the power to bring sunlight even in the darkness.

Then he uses a bouquet of words to describe his practice. Exalt, praise, extol, speak, tell, proclaim, celebrate and sing.  All of these words require us to use our vocal cords.  We can't praise God without our vocal cords.

This praise must be personal, "My God."  It is not a god, it is a personal relationship. Praise must come from a heart that knows God. If we don't know God, praise will be absent. I am so glad I am not an atheist. When atheists feel gratitude, they have no one to thank. There is something passionate about this praise. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.  There is nothing half-hearted about this praise.  What are you passionate about? What occupies the center of your heart?  The highest activity we can participate in this Saturday is praising the Lord.

So what would we praise him for? There are several items but let's just focus on God's greatness. We live in a day when the culture around us denies the bigness of God. Many think God is as outdated as a cassette tape player or a rotary phone. A survey taken in Bridgeport, CT, asked children if God understood nuclear energy. 64% said no. Man seems to be getting bigger and we are making God smaller. Psalm 139 says that God knows all of our thoughts. If we take the figure of 10,000 thoughts a day, that is 3.5 billion thoughts a year. So multiply 3.5 billion times 7 billion people on the planet……. you get the idea. God is big. And he is worthy to be praised.

Charles Spurgeon, the famous preacher, once said, "Plunge yourself in God's deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated."   Praising the greatness of God every day is the secret to living the victorious life. Let's continue the "Ruth challenge" from Monday…  7 days of praise to a new heart.