Worthy of Praise - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 31
Worthy of Praise
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness…
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness…
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The LORD always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does…
I will praise the LORD,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever.”
Psalm 145:3, 6, 13, 21 (NLT)
Have you ever seen the sunrise crest over the horizon and been truly stunned by its brilliance? Or perhaps stood on a coastal shoreline and wondered at the boundaries placed on the powerful waves? What about when you witness the first blossoms of early spring that tangibly remind us of the power of resurrection – life after death?
Scripture tells us that creation itself declares the majesty of our God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands " (Psalm 19:1, NIV). It is nearly impossible not to be stirred by the divine attributes of our Lord displayed in nature. Conversely, they can somehow be easy to overlook. Worries, disappointments, and the cares of this world dull our sight, and that which is resplendent becomes opaque and mundane.
The evidence of our Maker and His kingdom is all around us. We only have to look up and look out. As simple as that sounds, it takes intentional effort. We must quiet our racing thoughts long enough to appreciate the glory around us. When we enter into this reflective state, we not only remember the powerful deity of our universe-creating God but also recall His character and attributes. We remember:
“The LORD is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love…
The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creations.
The LORD always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The LORD helps the fallen.
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The LORD is close to all who call on him…
He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The LORD protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked.”
In light of such truths, how can we refrain from praising Him? He truly is worthy of our praise. No matter what burdens or distractions are weighing down your heart today, I encourage you, “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in” (Psalm 24:7, NIV). Sometimes, what we need more than anything is to look up and remind our hearts that there is an eternal, divine Creator who truly does hold the whole world in His hands. Not only is He fully able to meet every one of your needs, but He is worthy of our praise and admiration.
Will you join me today, as we boldly declare together, “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When was the last time you praised the Lord for who He is rather than what He can do for you? Are there cares and concerns weighing down your heart or dulling your senses? If so, I encourage you to search for God’s divine majesty and attributes today proactively.
Instead of getting up and immediately turning on the radio or TV, crack open a window and simply sit in the silence. A symphony of birdsong will immediately overtake the perceived hush. Listen closer. Can you hear the wind rustling through the leaves or perhaps squirrels bounding from branch to branch?
Now, look up. What do you see? Has the sun risen? If so, take a moment and marvel at the element itself. The sun and its light are the lifeblood of all creation. Their existence is beyond anything our humanity could create.
We live daily with all this glory around us, yet we easily take it for granted. He truly is worthy of our praise!
How can you take time to look up and look out today?
Further Reading:
Genesis 1
Psalm 145
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/dmbaker
To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter. If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.
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Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
