Nougat 23

(Apologies for the delayed submission)

When did you last pause to praise the Lord? Is it part of your daily routine? Today’s Holy Nougat offers us some insights.

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Praise the Lord

Our psalmist offers a series of commands all related to thanksgiving. This is not just any act of thank, for the psalmist God is the object of our praise. Unlike Psalm 100, no reason is given for our praise. Thus, whereas our status as God’s subjects and sheep, and of God’s goodness, mercy and truth, are offered as just cause for ‘making a joyful noise’, the psalmist simply instructs us to worship (praise) the Lord.

What is also noteworthy here is the call for praise beyond the confines of the nation. It feels to me that praising God can be a form of evangelism. Remember, in those days it was not uncommon for the Israelites to presume that the people who lived outside Israel were heathens. By extension, it was assumed that they were thus unaware of Who YHWH is, and how YHWH operates. Israelites’ praise to God would thus offer opportunities for those who were/are unaware of God to get a deeper understanding of God’s God-ness. I am also reminded of Naaman, who opted to take soil from Israel when he received God’s healing grace through Elisha.

The psalmist operates in the knowledge that the readers/listeners were familiar with the manifold works and blessings of God, hence no need to itemize same.

Should that praise command be directed to us (in this day/time), what are some reasons for which we give praise? And to whom shall we proclaim God’s praises?

Another psalmist says ‘God is our king, over all the earth … for God is to be praised, to be praised’

Siblings, let us be caught praising. May we be known for our acts of continuing praise and glorifying of God. We will not allow the rocks to praise in our stead. I pray we continue to glory in God’s holy name and that our hearts turn to God is praise as we seek God’s face today.

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May all we seek be found in Christ