Thought
198
Praise
“O God,
whom I praise…” Psalm 109:1 NIV1984
Quick Fact
God desires our praise, but praise isn’t
just worshiping or singing to Him. God is praised when we pay the tithe that He
commanded us to pay. God is praised when we are obedient. God is praised when
we proclaim His name as the source of our strength, our comfort, and our strong
tower.
Praise an action not a
feeling. Praise is a choice. Keep these two in mind as you read.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon
son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you
know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you
love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you
know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I
tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where
you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone
else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this
to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to
him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the
disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned
back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray
you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you? You must follow me.” John
21:15-22 NIV1984
From
this passage we see the same principle reflected above about praise. Jesus
asked Peter three times if he loved him and two times Peter responded that he
loved the Lord as a friend, but the last
time Peter responded that he loved the Lord undeservedly. What came to mind as
I was writing this is that Jesus was trying to get Peter to make a choice to
love Him. The love Jesus wants is our choice to love Him, He isn’t trying to
force love on us. It is the same with praise. We should love God unreservedly
and should praise Him, both are a choice.
Worship the Lord.
Praise Him. Love Him.
