Devotion

A Matter of Will
by Connie Giordano

"WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD; I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE ANY BEING." ---Psalm 146:2

"WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD" - The Psalmist was determined in his heart that as long as he had breath, he would be sure to do one thing and one thing alone, and that is to praise the Lord. Even though life has its many twists and turns, he still declared "I WILL PRAISE THE LORD". In spite of sickness, financial setback, family troubles, conflicts in relationships, etc, he still decided that he was going to praise the Lord

"WHILE I LIVE". The Holy Spirit is revealing a very important Truth to us today. Praising the Lord is not based on circumstances being just right, but it is based on an act of the will. It is something that we must resolve in our hearts that we will do no matter what. No one can stop us from doing it either when we have a made-up mind and a set will. As long as God gives us the breath to breathe, we must be determined that we will praise the Lord. No matter what the devil throws our way, we must be determined that we are going to praise the Lord. The only thing that can stop us is death itself. But death won't really stop us from praising God because we'll stop praising Him here on earth, but then we'll join the greatest  "PRAISE GATHERING" in heaven for all eternity. GLORY TO GOD! HALLELUJAH!!!

It is time to praise the Lord! Praise Him in the morning! Praise Him at noontime! Praise Him in the evening! Praise Him at the midnight hour! Praise Him in the early morning hours! Praise Him at the dawning of a new day! Praise Him at the setting of the sun! Praise Him when everything is going well! Praise Him when everything is falling apart! Praise Him on the mountaintop! Praise Him in the valley! WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD!

How should we praise the Lord? The Scriptures tell us to praise Him with our whole heart (Psalm 9:1). We should greatly and continually praise Him with our mouths (Psalm 34:11; Psalm 109:30). We should enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). We should praise Him with instruments, dancing, and high praises (Psalm 149-150). 

Who should praise the Lord? The Bible calls all the servants of the Lord to praise Him (Psalm 113:1). It also commands all those who fear the Lord to praise Him (Psalm 22:22). It tells us that those who are seeking the Lord will be praising Him (Psalm 22:26). 

Why should we praise the Lord? The Scriptures tell us that we should praise Him because He is God (Psalm 118:28). We should praise Him because He is good (Psalm 100:5). We should praise Him for His righteousness (Psalm 7:17), His mighty acts (Psalm 150:2), and His excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2). We should praise Him for His Word (Psalm 56:10). We should praise Him for His goodness and His wonderful works that He performs on our behalf (Psalm 107:8). We should praise Him because it is so beautiful when we do (Psalm 33:1). We should praise Him for His great mercy that moved Him to deliver our soul from the lowest hell (Psalm 86:13). Lastly, we should praise Him because He delivers us out of all our troubles (Psalm 54:7). 

Can everyone praise the Lord? There is one class of people that CANNOT praise Him. Psalm 115:7 says, "The dead praise not the LORD..." Those that are dead in their trespasses and sins cannot praise the LORD. That burden of sin that they are carrying weighs them down so that they cannot praise Him. Only those who have been quickened together with Christ (Ephesians 2:3) can praise the Lord. Only those who have been raised from the death of sin can sing that old familiar song, "GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH, SINCE I LAID MY BURDENS DOWN....I FEEL BETTER, SO MUCH BETTER, SINCE I LAID MY BURDENS DOWN...I AM WALKING, TALKING WITH JESUS, SINCE I LAID MY BURDENS DOWN..." 

Psalm 150:6 says, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD..." The Psalmist said, "WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD...WHILE I HAVE ANY BEING." We must determine today that we are going to praise the Lord no matter what. It is not based on feelings or emotions. It is a matter of the will. 

We are alive, aren't we? Then let's praise Him. 

About the Author

Connie Giordano is an ordained minister of the Gospel. A year ago the Lord Jesus called her to teach the Word of God to His people through e-mail. She started out by sending her Daily Messages to a small group of about 25 people. Now over 1,000 believers are receiving her Daily Messages and being strengthened and encouraged in their Walk with the Lord. If you would like to receive these messages, write to doeroftheword@juno.com.