Let Us Not Neglect to Offer the Sacrifice of Praise

Praise. I don't dole it out well. Perhaps that's because I saw so little of it growing up. There were no fine examples of offering praise. It's a shame, because people need praise. Young people. Old people. Men. Women. Dark-skinned. Light-skinned. We need praise. Without it we dry up.

But not silly praise. Not phony praise. Not the kind we think of when we envision sycophants talking up whoever it is they are sucking up to. Not the kind we think of when we think of stage hands and studio gophers talking up the big-named act just so they get to keep their job.

I mean real praise. Praise which is deserved. Praise which has been earned. We have all done things - at least on occasion - for which we deserve a pat on the back and recognition for a job well done.

Praising people is hard, but for some reason it is even harder to praise God. At least for those of us who don't know how to do it. Some do it well. I should be better at it. I've been a Christian for a good many years now. More years than not.

King David knew how to offer praise. All of the psalmists did.

God has been more than kind to me. Sometimes I remember to thank him. I seldom take the time to praise him. How horrible am I? I know better than anyone what God has done for me. I should offer praise every day for God's bountiful mercy and love. Lacking my own words I offer this from the Book of Psalms.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his exceeding greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! PSALM 150 Revised Standard Verison