Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

---

Read

Psalm 112:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Praise the Lord!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.

Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.

They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;
they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered forever.

They are not afraid of evil tidings;
their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.

Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn is exalted in honor.

---

Reflect

In his book Reflections on the Psalms, C. S. Lewis states, “All enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise.”

He provides examples of loving couples who compliment each other, parents who commend their children for jobs well done, readers who recommend their favorite books, and sports enthusiasts who speak highly of their favorite teams. Lewis claims that praise is a natural outgrowth of love.

Lewis believes the pleasure we receive from praising God helps us to complete the depth of our enjoyment. He says, “The worthier the object, the more intense the delight of our praise.”

Therefore, if we love God as we say we do, we should be praising Him nonstop because He is an important part of our lives. In the words of a familiar children’s song, we should “praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the noontime, praise Him in the evening, and praise Him when the sun goes down.”

Think of the love you see in your spouse’s eyes or the pride you feel for your child, and multiply those feelings tenfold. The blessings you receive from praising God, the most worthy object of all affection, will endure forever.

---

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for your immeasurable blessings! Help me to praise you every moment of every day. Help others to hear and see my overflowing love for you in everything I say and do. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Go with God!