“Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:2
Have you ever noticed the natural world around you? God’s creation points to Him.
*Notice the mountain peaks… they point upward to God!
*Notice the trees… they point upward to God!
*Notice the flowers… they reach upward to the Lord!
*Even the waves… they point skyward until they can no longer remain upright, then they come crashing down, only to repeat it again and again.
Have you ever wondered why they do this? I think it’s their way of praising God. You may say that’s crazy, but did you know that in the Bible, it tells us many times that natural objects praise the Lord?
- Mountains & Trees: “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
- Rocks: “As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40)
- Flowers: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…” (Isaiah 35:1-2)
- Ocean: “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.” (Psalm 69:34)
The Bible tells us that we are to bless His name. To bless something or someone means to give praise, honor, or glory. Today’s verse tell us that we are to bless God daily!
- He is our Creator: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:3-4)
- He commands us to praise Him: “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
- He has unending mercy toward us: “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118:28-29)
- He has given us the gift of salvation: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- He does so much for us: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalm 103:2)
However, these reasons are not necessary when it comes to praising God. Why? Because He is God. No other reason is needed. Blessing God is not contingent upon what He has done for us; it is simply because of who He is. “I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:” (2 Samuel 22:4)
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” (Psalm 48:1)
All praise to Him who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
(from “Blessed Be the Name” by William H. Clark)
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:2-3)
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If you need a reason to praise God, look in the mirror!