A CALL TO PRAISE HIM

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel; The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Psalm 103

There are many advantages for those who fear the LORD. He is the creator of the universe and places beyond our imagination: forgiveness of sin, recovery from sickness, deliverance from eternal death, abundant lovingkindness, mercy and food to sustain life. He gives satisfaction in life and blesses us with the zest for life even in the later years.

See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver from my hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

Literally, the ability to breath air is in His hands! The fly speck on the window of an 80 story glass skyscraper helps my minds eye visually compare what my  own effort can bring about in any given situation in my life.

Read the Psalm passage again, then read it again, then one more time making it become part of your heart. It brings into focus all that he does for us and what our response should be. A call to praise him with all our heart, mind and soul without any thought of what life has brought our way whether enjoyable or challenging. God is great! God is good, all the time!

  Are you leaning on a worldly crutch? Look heavenward, Vertical focus—Not horizontal!