This article is taken from Bunni Pounds podcast series - “Jesus for America - Biblical Meditations for Modern America “.

By Bunni Pounds

One of the deep joys of a Christian’s walk with God is to wake up every day with the understanding that everything was created by God – all of creation - and that we are not alone. We were created by God in the womb of our mothers. We have a purpose. We have value. We have destiny IN Him, and we only have life because He gives it to us. We can only accomplish anything, because He gives us breath. 

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

The book of Psalms ends with a book of songs - that can give us dramatic laments, glorious expressions of sadness, fears, and joy as well as eternal perspectives on life - all with just a simple refrain, “Praise the Lord”. 

“Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:1-6)

Because of who God is – we can simply praise Him. The easy places to praise Him are listed at the beginning; First, in His sanctuary among others who share similar wonder and awe of the Creator God. It is much easier to worship and praise Him in an environment that is pro-God rather than anti-God. It is much harder to praise Him outside of the “sanctuary” where it is not as popular to believe in God, and there are no people around us affirming our choice to praise Him. 

Secondly, it is easier to praise Him “in” creation itself, in the “mighty firmament” – than it is in an ugly boring atmosphere.  

If you have ever watched the Planet Earth series or been to the Grand Canyon or looked at the mountains of Colorado or sat on the beach in Maine – the wonder of nature awakens something in your soul and stirs you to thankfulness. 

Even in people who are not believers in Jesus, being in nature pushes away depression and anxiety. It is an incredible therapy because it causes our souls to react to the truth that there is something bigger and more powerful than us. It gives us the feeling that we ultimately are not in control. Whether people acknowledge the Creator God or think “the universe” is in control, nature is a blessing to our lives as it brings our stories into perspective and helps us realize how shallow our fears are. 

I personally believe based on scripture, that every person knows in their souls that there is a God. 

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20)

Because of the reality of creation, they know.  Even when they choose not to acknowledge Him as God – creation affects them. 

We praise him for “His mighty acts.”  The people of Israel had a long record of the miracles and wondrous works of God to praise Him for. We ourselves - if we look at the testimonies in our lives – can also find much to praise Him for, even in the midst of our trials. Let us consider how blessed we are and give Him praise. 

The next section of this Psalm makes it clear that praise is not a quiet exercise. Depending on your church background this section might make you a little uncomfortable, but I want to remind you that this is the Bible – the inspired Word of God. 

Trumpets, harps, timbrels, stringed instruments, flutes and LOUD cymbals – these items are all musical instruments, and they are not quiet. They are loud. 

Praise is not silent prayer. Praise is not meditation in stillness. Praise is not just thinking about God in our thoughts. All of that can play a part in worship, but praise is exuberant and vocal. Praise is spoken, sung, played, and expressed. 

Praise can make your flesh uncomfortable, but your spirit to come alive. There is a reaction that our body, soul, and spirit have to music and specifically to praise, which is why the Psalmist ends this song with a command – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

Praise is good for us. Praise is what we were created for. Today, let’s give Him praise! Praise the Lord.

Have you taken THE PLEDGE to pray, vote, and engage and see all that we do? We want to help you NEVER forget an election again?

Have you thought about supporting Christians Engaged? We need YOU! We are supported by individual donors who invest in us to empower the Body of Christ to pray, vote, and engage.

Would you consider partnering with us as a monthly donor to support the work of our nonprofit ministry? Or maybe a generous annual donation?