I wrote a short devotion for our college newsletter and thought I would share it here as well. (If interested, entire newsletter is at www.kingsland.org/college -click on May)
Praising God in all Circumstances
I chose Psalm 113 for this devotion because it is a psalm of descriptive praise. It helps us to realize that we are not called to praise God simply because of our circumstance, but in spite of our circumstance we are always able to give praise to God.
Psalm 113 describes three of my favorite things:
- We are called to praise God
- Praise celebrates God because He is beyond compare
- We are given two illustrations of God’s grace
We are called to praise God. Read Psalm 113 verses 1-3
Verse one states, “Praise the Lord!” This is an imperative, meaning it is a command we are to obey.
- Who offers praise? God’s servants
- What is to be praised? His name. The name of God represents who He is. No matter our circumstance we can always praise God for who He is.
- When is His name to be praised? From this time forth…right now!
- How long is He is be praised? Forever
- Where are we to praise God? From the place where the sun rises all the way to the place where it sets. We are to praise God wherever we are and in all places.
Can you think of a time or place where it is difficult to praise God? Focus on who He is and continue to praise Him!
We praise God because He is beyond compare. Read Psalm 113 verses 4-6
In these verses the psalmist gives us three reasons why God is to be praised the way He commanded in verses 1-3. Because of His position, His person, and His passion.
Vs. 4 – In position He is over all the nations…He is even over heaven! There is nothing in all existence that has a higher position than God.
Vs. 5 – In His person there is no one who can even be compared to Him. He is enthroned as the king of all creation – yet…
Vs. 6 – In His passion He humbles Himself seeking His servants to engage with on earth. He did this most clearly in the sending of His Son Jesus Christ who offers eternal life to anyone who believes is Him for it.
Life can sometimes make it difficult to praise God. No matter what our circumstance remember that we can praise God because of His position, His person, and His passion.
We praise God because of His grace. Read verses 7-9
Vs. 7-8 – This is literal at times but spiritually God lifts the poor and needy out from under the heap of sin and positionally places us with his righteous saints.
Vs. 9 – The barren woman having children is also literal at times but spiritually this pictures the joy of our salvation.
As believers in Christ we now have what we once did not: Salvation and Joy!
God’s grace is greater than our sin and greater than our need. No matter the time, no matter the place, no matter the circumstance…wether difficult, hurtful, tiring, or discouraging we can always look to God’s position, person, passion, and grace and have reason to praise Him.
“Praise the Lord!”
