pastormikemcdowell

“I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9: 1-2)

Good Morning Blessed Friends of God!

When i was in eighth grade, I was invited to be the disc jockey at a junior high dance being held at our school. Basically, that meant that I selected the records that would be played at the dance, say a little something about each one and put them on the turntable. Those of you who know me well are also aware of my early ambitions to become an entertainer. One popular song of the day was called “Patches”, which I enjoyed singing. At one point at the dance, instead of just playing the record, I decided to sing along with it, with the benefit of the microphone I commanded. I sang, and, much to my surprise and delight, soon a bevy of junior high girls were shrieking and swooning as I sang…I kid you not! Of course, my ego soared. I doubt that my performance that night was really worth the brief adulation I garnered, but it was gratifying nonetheless. I was unworthy. As readily as that unmerited praise was directed towards my adolescent performance, I wonder how ready we are to direct our praise and adulation towards One who is, in fact, entirely deserving and worthy? The Psalmist expresses unbridled praise in the right direction in this Psalm, and I do like the down-to-earth way it is expressed here: “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart…” A full heart is one so overflowing in its love that it cannot be contained. “I will tell of all your wonders”.” This, of course, is literally true, for here we are centuries later reading this Psalm from that inspired “Book”…the Bible! “I will be glad and exalt you” Can’t you just imagine it! I can, because I remember how I felt being on the receiving end of such praise. It felt great. Our enthusiastic praise gladdens the heart of God, and, unlike me, he is most deserving! “I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Coming into God’s presence with singing is encouraged…even directed in Scripture. Let us join our hearts in prayer and praise. Let’s whistle, laugh, jump for joy, singing our high praises before our Maker. Let’s thank God with all our heart! Let’s pray!

Worthy God: How we praise you this day. Our hearts are filled to overflowing with the joy of being in Your glorious presence and experiencing Your love and Your grace. Accept the praise of our lips and the adoration of our hearts as we approach you in prayer and song. The joy of the Lord is our strength and our delight. To God be the glory now and forevermore! Amen!