Praise

The last few Psalms are all about praise.  I began to ask what is praise and how does one praise God.  Many times in church we associate praise with music.  While that is a component of praise, it is not praise in its totality.  Praise is so much more.  Praise is a lifestyle that expresses gratitude for what God has done.  And, so praise begins with a proper perspective of self.  Psalm 149:4 says that "the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."  Praise, then, begins with humility.  I cannot express gratitude to someone if I think I deserve something or am owed something.  Thus, praise flows out of an attitude of gratitude.  

Attitudes are the governors of our lives.  And, Jesus said that he who is forgiven much loves much.  To say it another way, when we realize how much God has done for us, we can't help put to express gratitude which results in praise.  We would all do well to slow down even for five minutes today and take an inventory of all that God has done.  See if it results in praise.