09/22/2019
Do you praise the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Finding joy in the one we love should be our greatest pleasure... how do you love your God, and how do you praise Him? There shouldn’t be a moment of the day when our prayers aren’t lifted up, and in them should be the unending thanksgiving and praise for the almighty. Do you begin each day in praise, and thanksgiving?
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”
Psalms 34:1-3 ESV
I was quiet in my bed this morning, and it would be hours before the sun came up. As is my custom I began my day by thanking God for His many blessings, and then the praises began to flow. “I praise you in the dark of dawn; I praise you with my heartfelt song!” Our hearts should cry out to Him with the first breath we take each day. Join me in this time of predawn praise in the morning by remembering these simple acts of praise...
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!”
Psalms 149:1 ESV
Our God is new every morning, and our songs of praise should be too. In the freshness of the dawn comes our greatest rush of creativity, and the inspiration that springs forth from the Spirit within us. My heart sings “I praise you at the first light rays, I praise you in my darkest days!” God provides us with inspiration, and we should bask in it as if it were a fragrant oil.
“Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!”
Psalms 149:2 ESV
Even before we rise from bed our prayers of praise should spring forth, and our souls rejoice in our Creator! Tomorrow, Before you open your eyes, find one thing about Him that makes you glad, and praise Him for it. Don’t look upon your day without rejoicing, and lifting Him up in praise. My mind sang out to Him... “I praise you now my glorious King; I praise you as the robins sing!”
“Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”
Psalms 149:3 ESV
Hear within you the melody of your favorite song, and imagine yourself dancing, and making music before Him. This is our great joy being unleashed into our day, and as David danced before the Arc, we should also dance and play the music of our great joy before Him. He is the joy that overcomes is in every blessing... all the day long. “I praise you in my new day’s song; I praise you now, and all day long!”
“Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.”
Psalms 149:5 ESV
All glory belongs to God, and in our praise we should give our strongest praise to that glory. In our beds, before we rise to start our day we should acknowledge that He is glorious indeed, and recall His great victories in our lives. God goes before us, and is our defender, and conquered. So I say... “I praise you from my restful bed; I praise you for my lack of dread!” God destroys all dread.
“Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,”
Psalms 149:6 ESV
Even before we rise each morning we should put on our spiritual armor, and pick up the God’s Holy Word which is our sword. We should praise the Lord for going before us onto the field of spiritual battle, and be prepared to join Him there. Remember always that He protects us, and gives us strength, so fear not. “I praise you as you rise with me; I praise you as my fear does flee!”
“...This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the Lord!”
Psalms 149:9 ESV
As we praise our God in this way we honor Him. In this way we honor our faith, and also bring honor upon ourselves. Through our morning praise we lift up our King of Glory before our day begins, and yield to Him the essence of our hearts... are you willing to prepare yourself in this way in the morning, and all day long? “I praise you with my morning heart; I praise you for this new day’s start!”
Morning Praise
By Rich Forbes - 9/22/2019 (predawn)
I praise you in the dark of dawn.
I praise you with my heartfelt song!
I praise you at the first light rays
I praise you in my brightest days!
I praise you now my glorious King
I praise you as the robins sing!
I praise you in my new day’s song
I praise you now, and all day long!
I praise you from my restful bed
I praise you for my lack of dread!
I praise you as you rise with me
I praise you as my great fears flee!
I praise you with my morning heart
I praise you for this new day’s start!
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your many blessings yesterday, today, and everyday to come. I praise you in my mornings and all the day long because you are deserving Holy Father. You are worthy, and my love is offered to you without reservation. Inspire me Lord; help me to be creative in my praise, and worship of you. Teach me to see each day as new, and every word of praise as being fresh. Make my song pleasing to your ear, and my words joyful in your heart. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is worthy of my praise. Great are you who sings over me, and teaches me to love, and be glad. I praise you from my bed Gracious Father, and give you glory before my eyes have opened... your mercy and grace are with me always... when I lay my head down, in my sleep, my waking, and all the day long. You are ever with me, and my prayers, and praise, continue without ceasing. Hear the humble song of my soul Father.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Rich Forbes