Living Life by Design

I am blessed with 6 incredible grandchildren. Their ages are 17, 15, 15, 5, 3 and 3 months. All my grandchildren are wonderful…but what Papa wouldn’t say that. When I take them out I never have to remind them about “pleases & thank you’s.” We taught them to be thankful – not for our own sake but for theirs. I’m pleased (as God is pleased) when they are thankful. 

God teaches us to praise him because it is the right response to him (we are thankful), and because it is good for us. Thanksgiving is an appropriate response to human generosity. Continual praise is the appropriate response to God’s goodness, and generosity.

The psalmist in Psalm 113 repeats over and over that we should ‘praise the Lord’ (v.1). Praise him all day long: ‘From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets’ (v.3). Praise him throughout our life, ‘now and tomorrow and always’ (v.2). Praise him particularly for his love for the marginalised: the poor, the needy and the barren (vv.7–9).

Paul wrote in Ephesians 5, ‘Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil’ (vv.15–16). Do not fritter away your life, like a fool. Life is short – live in the moment and make the most of every day.

Regardless of our present situation (good or bad), praise is the appropriate response to God. He is, now and always, worthy of our praise.

How will you choose to live today?