The value of praise and gratitude to God for victories

We need to praise God. It's in our spiritual DNA, we can't help it; the Christian life would be meaningless without praise and worship. Praise Him at all times with Thanksgiving.

Whenever I hear the hymn "Praise God" I cry like a child, I can't help it, my heart thunders with gratitude for what He has done in my life. I know that the same thing happens to you when you listen to it. I have had the deepest spiritual experiences in worship. That lump in the throat and that desire to scream thank you Lord! It does not come from empty emotions but from the action of the Spirit.

Some years ago I began to "rebuild my walls", broken and abundant with gaps. The vices of the world consumed me, spiritual blindness tormented me. I could never have started a process of rebuilding my ruined walls if the Lord, the living God, had not reached me. Today I dedicate the rebuilt wall of my life - still in the process of solidification - to the Lord who bathed me with his grace and mercy. I try to do it with praise and gratitude. First we must rebuild what is in ruins and only after rebuilding and raising what is fallen, can we dedicate it - consecrate it - to the Lord with gratitude. Thank him for your victories on his behalf! They are His, not yours.

Nehemiah did it that way. The walls of Jerusalem were restored, but the hearts of the people first needed to humble themselves and turn to God. Only then is worship a fragrant odor to the Lord. The psalmist made it clear. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; You will not despise a contrite and humbled heart, O God ”. (Ps 51.17). The joy of the Lord comes gratitude and our praise as we acknowledge, with a broken spirit, all that He has done for us, for our families, for his provision, for his goodness and grace. Psalm 103 also inspires us in this regard: “Praise the Lord, my soul; praise all my being his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget any of its benefits. (Ps 103.1-2). The worship service that Nehemiah called (Nehemiah 12) was a celebration of rejoicing in the great things that God had allowed them to do. Now they were spiritually ready to dedicate the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem to the maker God, with praise and thanksgiving. There were two acts of worship: the songs and the offerings.

Dear sisters and brothers, let us carefully examine our walls and our spiritual life. Do they have gaps and holes that you cannot close? Trust in God, humble yourself in his presence. Praise him and thank him for his faithfulness and love. Rebuild them in the Name that is above every name, Christ, the firm and unbreakable rock and… dedicate them as Nehemiah did, consecrate them for the precious work of the Kingdom. The ruinous world, overshadowed by wickedness and sin, praises men on whom it bets and rests its hopes. Christ is our victories. There are too many reasons to praise him, to celebrate his redemptive work in the hearts and minds of each one of us. "... As I live, says the Lord, that before Me every knee will bow, and every tongue will praise God." (Ro 14.11).

God bless you!

Suggested reading: Nehemiah 12. Verses 27, 30 and 43.