THE FREE-WILL OFFERING OF PRAISE

Psalms 119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

It is oh, so easy to thank and praise God when everything goes right. It comes almost naturally to thank Him for the blessings that are so clear and evident. Unchallenged “thank you’s” flow from our hearts as if we were owed every blessing that covers our head. Let us now imagine another scenario to life. Suddenly, black angry clouds fill the skies; the road becomes a muddy mars; its sharp curves less protected. When our cold wet feet shod with worn out shoes ache, the grace to carry the burden seems to fade; the Heavenly Presence seems absent leaving in its stead the empty cold void of uncertainty.

It is at such times, yes it is at such times that praise becomes the free-will offering of the mouth. At such times, praising and thanking God requires a spirit of humility that utterly burns the pride of our own will and ‘intelligent’ programs on the altar of His will. It is at such times that the spirits of praise, humility and yieldedness are tested.

We then bow to Him in utter humility and profound silence; humbly, in front of the ultimate beauty and wisdom of His unsearchable will; silently, as the great Master of the universe stoops from His throne to teach us great lessons from the treasures mine of darkness, from the hidden riches of secret places (Isaiah 45:3).

Praise Him in the cold
Praise Him in the sun.
And when in the rain
From praisin' do not run.

Praise Him when you’re sad
‘ven when you’re happy
Still while crying
Let His praise still fill thee.

You know you may live,
That also you may die
But in known and unknown
His praise lifts us high.

So praise for days past
‘so for tomorrow
And if it rains on today,
Praise’ll drowns its sorrow.

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.