Earlier this month, I had the privilege of leading a women’s event at a local area church. In the days following, the Lord blessed my team and me with some amazing testimonies and excellent feedback. Every positive report helps us plan for future events, and as we review various details, our gratitude for all that God provided continues to expand.
God did more than we even thought to ask or imagine, so we praise Him.
Magnify
As I write thank you notes, the list of all God has done continues to grow. As I give thanks, I see more and more to be thankful for. Reviewing the event with a magnifying glass reveals the Lord’s abundant blessings. As I attune myself and take a moment to lean in close to see what God has been doing, I am in awe.
Attune
In Psalm 47, the psalmist attunes himself to the Lord, leading to a chorus of joyful adoration and praise.
1Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah (Psalm 47:1-4 ESV)
Praise begets praise, hands are raised, voices follow, and God’s beloved worship Him. They give thanks for his victories and power. They see and sing about the His love and the land He has provided for His people.
Celebrate
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! (Psalm 47:5-7 ESV)
Psalm 47 is one of seven enthronement psalms that celebrate God as our King, ascending His throne. He is the most high, one to be feared. He has authority; is capable of subduing people on our behalf. He can have a loving relationship, not just a distant king to be admired from afar. He comes near and draws us in. Worship God ascends his throne with a shout, with authority. Trumpets sound and singing praise is the response. We testify to God’s power and might. We sing praise & worship the King of all the earth.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! (Psalm 47: 8-9 ESV)
He is not simply a local or national king but the King of the world. He reigns over all the other nations and leaders. He sits on his holy throne because he is the victor and does not strive to gain ground or defend His position of authority. He provides the shields of the earth, where He enables protection as the ultimate victor. He is exalted. Whether we acknowledge Him or not, He is still above all else. The more we look for Him, the more we see.
Prayer
Lord, you are my King, one who knows me yet rules the world. Thank you for all you have done and are doing. Thank you for allowing me to see Your holy work all around me. Please help me to remember to praise You and acknowledge You regularly. In my natural state, I might be tempted to see a lack or where I have failed. Help me to take every opportunity to shout and clap my hands so that I may be a catalyst for praise—one who points out Your work to others. May I lead with gratitude by not missing an opportunity to recognize Your mighty hand at work? You command us to praise You because this practice transforms our hearts and helps us see more and more of Your work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Anthea Kotlan 