Psalm 48:1 “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise”.

When last have you given thanks to the Lord? Really given thanks?  Think long and hard.   Do you only give thanks to God when you have received what you have prayed for or when the going is good?  Do you remember this little prayer and song by Edith Leatham that we learned as children:

          Thank you for the world so sweet;

          Thank you for the food we eat;

         Thank you for the birds that sing;

         Thank you Lord for everything!

Today the Lord spoke to me and reminded me that we need to give Him thanks before receiving the blessings. Often we count our blessings and then we praise but God wants us  to recognize that we need to give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his mercies endure forever (Psalm 118:1). Before He becomes our salvation, the Lord is our strength and song (v.2).

 Are you in need of strength today? Praise the Lord!  Let the praises ring from your lips and you will be surprised how God’s strength pours into your weaknesses and enables you to become strong.  Are you lacking a song?  Just praise Him in prose and He will put a new song in your mouth.  Are you worried about the future, wondering how this road will end?  Praise the Lord for its successful end for He knows the way we take (Job 23:10) and will come through for us. Is your child sick, or you sick yourself? Praise Him as the pain rocks the body knowing that in your flesh you will see God (Job 19:26).  Are you facing dead circumstances, four days in the grave and no hope for resurrection? Like the Master Jesus Himself turn your eyes up to heaven and say to the Father “I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41) and know that your heavenly Father has heard you and has said “Before you call I will answer, while you are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

Today believe God and give Him thanks before the concrete manifestation of the miracle (s).  Praise is what you must do even when you are going through the circumstances, for God has turned his ear towards you (Psalm 116:2). So send the praises up and it will surprise you what a great and mighty God you have as your Father.

PRAYER

Lord we praise you, praise you, praise you.  We refuse to let the circumstances around us stop us from praising.  We lift up your marvelous name and say great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.