I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

Psalm 69:30-32

What is praise? The dictionary says it is “to express warm approval or admiration of.” Psalm 69:31 says that when we offer God praise, it greatly pleases him. Not only that, but when we seek God and praise Him, it revives our own hearts and makes us glad.

But what is it about praise that seems to heal our hearts? As humans, we seldom recognize our need for God. So, the longer we try to fill our hearts with human things, the more broken we become. But when we finally come to God with praise and thanksgiving, we finally realize our spiritual longings. In that moment, our hearts revive like the first bud on a tree after a long winter, and we understand that this is exactly what we needed.

No matter how hard life gets, whether the mountains are out of control or not, God is always right there, waiting for you to realize the love he has for you.

These moments are always beautiful, but it sometimes feels like they never last. It’s like we go back and forth too many times to count, and it’s frustrating. But every single time we open God’s Word, every single time we go to Him in prayer or receive communion or glorify Him with praise, our hearts are revived. Even if it isn’t dramatic or even noticeable, we are revived in some way. Maybe that means just a change of perspective or a spark of hope. Whatever it may be, it is God’s message of peace and hope, and strength to carry on.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please help us seek You more in the good and the bad. Give us peace and hope in the knowledge of Your coming, and let us be reminded of Your love for us. Thank You Jesus.

Daily Reading: Proverbs 23

– Contributed by Charissa Moser