Do you know what it is to praise someone? Who do you praise? Who do you lift up? Do you praise your parents? Do you praise your children? Do you hold your praises on the inside? Is it hard for you to praise someone? Do you know what it means to extol someone?
For some people, praising others comes easy. It is as though they are a cheerleader, letting others know just how much they appreciate them. For others, it is difficult to praise someone. It’s not that they do not feel praise in their heart, they just can’t seem to express it.
We are to praise God. Not just praise, but to extol him. To extol God is to praise highly, to laud, to eulogize him. In other words, we are to recognize all that he has done for us and praise him with our entire being. Recognizing what he has done for us can be a challenge. Not that it isn’t apparent, but that our culture attributes everything to hard work or luck, and we fall into that trap.
God has given each one of us at least one talent. He has blessed us with the ability to think, speak, and reason. He has given us physical abilities, even if it is nothing more than the ability to walk. Without these simple, yet extraordinary, gifts, we could not earn a living. We are to praise him for them.
But God did not stop there. He has blessed us with the ability to love, have compassion, show mercy, and be gracious. He willingly gave up his Son for our sake. He rose Jesus on the third day so that we know we, too, will rise again. He has given us salvation, an eternal life with him, where there will be no more tears, sadness, or hatred. He has given us hope. Without hope, we would be lost.
I pray we all extol God. I pray we praise him for the talents and gifts he has given us. I pray each one of us will praise God for the blessings he has given, especially the blessings of salvation and hope. Extol God. Praise him for your gifts. Praise him for your blessings. Trust he will continue to bless you.
Psalm 99:5
Extol the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!
Marty Pressey 