Celtic morning prayer now moves from despair, to praise with the call: With my whole heart I want to praise You, followed by the response: O Lord, hear my voice.
There is nothing half-hearted about the psalmist desire to lift the voice in praise. Often, through out the psalms we find in spite of darkness and danger, praise is brought to the forefront of devotion.
Charles Spurgeon in his typical way once said, “Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in glory we continue to sing. What will some of you do when you get to heaven, if you go on grumbling all the way? Do not hope to get to heaven in that style. But now begin to bless the name of the Lord.”
The Duke of Wellington, the British military leader who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, was not an easy man to serve under. He was brilliant, demanding, and not one to shower his subordinates with compliments. Yet even Wellington realised that his methods left something to be desired. In his old age a young lady asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again. Wellington thought for a moment, then replied. “I’d give more praise.”
It was Isaac Watts who wrote:
I’ll praise my Maker with my breath,
and when my voice is lost in death,
praise shall employ my noblest pow'rs;
my days of praise shall ne'er be past,
while life, and thought, and being last,
or immortality endures.
Is this why Jesus reminded the lawyer in the gospel, to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Yes all our heart.
Praising God is surely not a bad way to start the day.
Jesus, I adore You
I fall to my knees
In awe of Your greatness
I'm lingering in Your presence
Bathing in Your light
Resting in Your love. Amen
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