Have you ever gotten recognition for something you knew you rightly deserved?
There’s something uniquely wonderful in receiving praise for a job well done. In fact, it can be downright intoxicating—something people can come to idolize and obsess over, chasing the next “attaboy” or “attagirl” and focusing their lives, purpose, and worth around actions that gain them praise. When this happens, it’s really a twisting of a God-reflective attitude: like our Maker, we wish to be recognized for what we’ve accomplished.
This is something we should always bear in mind as we’re in relationship with our God: do we render Yahweh the glory due to His name? Do we do it in “holy attire”—which in this current age, can be taken to mean with the right heart-posture, clean hands, and humble spirit?
This doesn’t just apply when God does something wonderful for us—although those are times when we absolutely should fall on our faces in earnest gratitude! But in the normal day-to-day, in the mundane and common of everyday life, do we take time to acknowledge Yahweh and give Him the glory he deserves simply for who He is?
If you’ve been married for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced firsthand how important it is to stay mindful of your spouse’s value and acknowledge it…and how this can be even more important, not less, as time goes on! In the same way, it’s so important that we never grow “used to” God—never become so utterly comfortable in His presence that we forget whose presence we’re in. Comfort in relationship—even our spiritual relationship with our heavenly Father—does not mean we have a free pass to forsake acknowledging His majesty.
As we go throughout our lives, the hours and days and months and years, it’s so important to not lose sight, nor grow weary, of all that God is and does. In the seasons and storms, in the wonderful and difficult times, He still deserves worship rendered to Him for his magnificent, awe-inspiring holiness and all the good and love He is, and gives! Psalm 29 is a fantastic summary of God’s splendor, and I highly recommend reading it in great detail, really absorbing the words and seeing how they parallel your experience of God; and then take time to worship Him and render Him the honor and glory He is due! Worship is an intimate act of the heart, drawing us nearer to the One who is worthy of all praise and honor.
We know within our own hearts how wonderful it is to receive praise where it’s due; let’s turn that focus outward and never neglect to give that praise to the God who deserves it all!
