Praise
by Pastor Mark Gierus
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Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory (Psalm 72:18,19).
So, at the end of this week, we find ourselves one day closer to home.
How was your week? Have you much to be grateful for? Perhaps you have had one of those weeks that you might prefer to just forget about, yet the more you try to ignore it, the heavier your heart becomes. Maybe you are ready for 2023 to hurry up and begin, as it might mean a better time for you. Whatever sort of week you have had, join in with King Solomon and say, ‘Praise be to the Lord God who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise his glorious name forever’.
In all of King Solomon’s wealth and power, he knew it was not his, but all he had came from God. He knew that it was God who was to be honoured and praised – yes, because God is God and because he has done marvellous things.
When you find yourself lost, caught in sin, struggling to know the truth of who you are anymore, or facing health challenges, life challenges, or a loved one suffering, it is easy to wonder what marvellous thing it is that God has actually done. It is easy to even forget that God is God. It is even easier to stop thinking of God with any sort of praise.
We often forget when our eyes are on the things that trouble us that God has done and continues to do marvellous things. God has sent his only Son, Jesus, to rescue you and all who believe in him from sin, death and the power of the devil. Jesus shed his blood at Calvary so that you might have eternal life simply by believing in the one God has sent, Jesus.
You might say that is great, and you can praise God for that but wonder how it helps you now. Jesus says to you, ‘I am with you always’. He says, ‘I know what suffering is. Let me carry you, for I will give you rest from your burden’. He says, ‘Learn from me because I care’. Know that God in Jesus will never leave nor forsake you, and you will find rest in his everlasting arms. In your trouble and in your joy, call on God’s name. That is praise simply by calling on him. Praise be to the Lord God, now and forever.
Heavenly Father, change my heart when I don’t see what marvellous things you have done and continue to do in me and through me. Refresh my soul with your Spirit and show me anew the blessings you give me daily. Open my mouth so I may sing of your goodness and praise you all the days of my life. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus is currently serving in Brisbane, Queensland, as a Lutheran college pastor. He has two beautiful girls aged six and nine and enjoys hiking with them, looking after their pets as a family and going on road trips. Mark prays that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
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