DOES HE DESERVE YOUR PRAISES?

Dearly Beloved,

DOES HE DESERVE YOUR PRAISES?

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2 NIV).

My family was having its lunch when the children were jokingly asking each other whether each of them remembered to pray before starting eating or not and the contents of their prayers. From there discussion, they mentioned God and mummy as people worthy of praises for the provision of the food. One of them inquired whether they should include daddy in the list or not. The other objected because it was not daddy that cooked the food. Mummy, who was following their discussion, reminded them that it was daddy that provided the resources for the food before she could cook it for them, therefore, daddy also deserves to be praised. The children agreed and continued their eating.

Daddy did not join the discussion, but he was rather reflecting on it. He did provide the resources for the cooked food, but the children did not know. To them, mummy was the originator and provider of the food. Daddy has no place in its provision. Sometimes, we do the same thing to God. This is applicable mostly to most people in the developed world where there is virtually everything provided compared to people in the under-developed world where poverty and suffering are reigning. The former people tend to forget God in the provision of what they enjoy, hence, the apathy to spirituality there. The latter people have to look unto God for almost everything, hence, the love for religiosity in the part of the world. However, the part of the world in which some people live does not determine their appreciation of God. Such people do not appreciate God for who He is and for what He is doing in their lives. They do not praise Him for their lives and everything that is happening in their lives. They cannot see the hands of God in their daily activities.

Regardless of where you live, whether in the developed world or in the under-developed world, do you appreciate God for who He is and for what He is doing in your life? Do you recognize His goodness over you? Does He deserve your praises? The psalmist said, “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (103:1-2 NIV). Do not forget or downplay all His goodness over your life!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
Praise the Lord! My internet ministry “The Word through the Internet” (popularly known as “Spiritual Digest”) is exactly six years old last Wednesday! Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/message/339 to view the full message to commemorate the anniversary. God bless you!