September 30, 2017 - - Psalm 147:1 Beautiful praise

Praise the LORD!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

Psalm 147:1 NKJV

Praise is beautiful!

It is beautiful activity--because God is worthy of praise.

It is beautiful to contemplate the attributes of God: love, justice, majesty, power, and wisdom.

It is beautiful to praise Him rather than to be fearful of the things in the news and media.

It is beautiful to praise our God acknowledging His great salvation.

Praise is beautiful because here in this world there are never enough words or visions of splendour or songs or works of art which will do justice to Who He Is.

What a joy the new heavens and the new earth will be as we will no longer be held down by old patterns of sin and sinful thoughts but we will be free to see Him and love Him and praise Him just as we were made to do. It will be the beautiful activity of eternity.

Praise the LORD!

Praise be to You, LORD God Almighty.

When I see the brokenness of this world, I praise You for the work of Your people who bring justice and help and healing in Jesus' Name.

When I see the sinfulness of my own heart and confess it, I look forward to the day when all sin will be utterly thrown down and be no more and I will praise You, God of Glory, praise You most beautifully as I was created to do.

When I see glimpses of love and justice in this world, praise be to Your Name, Jesus the Just and True, for Your reign.

When I join in with Your people in homes or churches and sing Your praise and acknowledge Your Splendor, what joy is ours.

Praise be to You, Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Praise be to You, now and forevermore.

Amen.