Praising God

by Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Category: General | Jul 1990

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Ps. 107:8). Three times the Psalmist repeats this verse, with the reasons why the Lord should be praised.

There is joy in praising God. The Old Testament saints knew this when they entered into the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. (Ps. 100:4). Though they had not known the love of God in sending His Son as we have, yet they knew His goodness and His wonderful works.

The praising life prepares us for the Remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ each Lord's day. Even if we are few in number, when we are led by the Spirit of God and all say Amen because we are one in heart, then we feel the joy of heaven.

Revelation chapter 5 shows the praise and adoration in heaven. Four living creatures, and twenty four elders fall down before the Lamb, and they sing a new song:

Worthy art Thou ... for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with Thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation (v.9).

Then a great multitude of angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders said with a great voice:

Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain, to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory and blessing (v.12).

Then every created thing responded, and "the four living creatures said, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshipped".

When we consider the praise and adoration of these heavenly beings, we realize how far short we come in our thanksgiving and praise to God. Yet it was for us that Jesus died, and through Him our Spirit-led praise reaches to the throne. How sad it is if we have little to give.

It is good for us to prepare ourselves for each Lord's day morning. It is well to put away newspapers, and not to use the radio or television for the world's news on the Lord's day. We cannot think freely of the Lord when our minds are stored with earthly things, or even if we are thinking of our own joys and sorrows. We need a quiet mind to worship God.

Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Jul 1990
General