Praise

Praise. We all like to be praised, to some extend, for the good things we have accomplished. Whether it’s at work, or on the athletic field or even within our own home by our spouse, we have a need to be praised and acknowledged. We have taken the idea of praise to a somewhat dangerous place by praising people for every little thing that they do. We see that in parents praising their children for doing something that should be expected of them. We give out participation trophies to make sure that no one’s feeling are hurt. Are we over-praising this generation of people today?

There is nothing wrong with praising those that deserve it, those that have gone above and beyond expectations in what they accomplished. But, with that praise, we also have to make sure that people aren’t put on a pedestal and worshipped. Movie stars, athletes, singers and politicians should never be worshipped, that belongs to God, and God alone. We can praise those groups of people if they are deserving of praise, but never worship them. We will be thoroughly disappointed when they fall off of that pedestal we, as a society or individual, put them on.

Praise belongs to God because He is worthy of our praise. “I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.” - Psalm 7:17. “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” - Psalm 18:3. God offered up His only Son to save His creation from paying the punishment of their own sins, that is praise-worthy.

“Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” - Psalms 150.

Have a great day and God bless.