365 Days of Praise
Praise to the LION OF JUDAH
“Stop weeping; behold, the LION that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
Messiah’s title, LION OF JUDAH, can be traced to Genesis 49:9 when Jacob blessed his son, Judah, and referred to him as “Young Lion.” Christ, who came from this noble tribe of Israel, is not a “Young Lion.” He is not one who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, as Satan does. (1 Peter 5:8) He is not a pretend Lion King. Rather, the Lord Jesus Christ is THE LION of the TRIBE of JUDAH. He is the noblest. He is the most powerful. He overcomes all, even death. He alone is worthy to open the scroll that is sealed.
Lord Jesus Christ, LION OF JUDAH, we worship You, worthy above all others!
Praise to Jesus, Light of the World
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life'” (John 8:12).
What do you do on the Fourth of July? Do you like watching fireworks light up the night sky? There’s something about the brilliance of spectacular light bursting across the darkness. As we celebrate our nation’s declaration of independence from the British Empire, what a good time to also celebrate the believer’s declaration of independence from Satan’s empire. What a wonderful reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World.
The fireworks we watch are a flash in the darkness. Jesus is constantly brilliant and will one day be the source of Light by which we live for eternity. No doubt, when Jesus announced He was the Light of the World, He must have sounded braggadocios to His listeners. How could a carpenter from Nazareth claim to be the Light of the world? Yet, Jesus made the claim, and He is who He says. Jesus came from heaven bringing truth that enlightens every man who will receive Him. Fireworks come and go. Invite Jesus into your heart and live with His brilliance for eternity.
Lord Jesus, You are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and our Light. We give You honor and praise!
Praise to the LIFTER OF MY HEAD
“You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who LIFTS MY HEAD.”
Have you ever had your head “hangin” low? Perhaps you were ashamed. Or, maybe you were just down. Imagine this comforting reality – God sees you and cares how you’re doing. He is the one who LIFTS YOUR HEAD in your most “down” times. What happens when He lifts our heads? Our eyes turn from looking down to looking up – to looking at His glorious face where we find hope and peace. If you’re down today, take a moment to look up in prayer to your Heavenly Father. Let Him lift your eyes to the hope and glory that is in Him.
We praise you, God, the LIFTER OF OUR HEAD!
Praise to the God of Life
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me'” (John 14:6).
Have you ever looked for “life” in someone or something apart from Jesus? Perhaps in your younger years you were “the life of the party.” Maybe in your adult years you bought into the idea that the right job, house, car, or person would bring you all you wanted in life. But, perhaps later you realized that things and people can disappoint and fall short of that for which we long. Our hearts will never be happy until they’re at home with the Lord. He is the life for which we yearn.
Lord, You are the way, the truth, and the LIFE! We bow and worship You.
Praise to Our LEADER
“‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who LEADS you in the way you should go.'”
When you were a child, did you play “follow the leader”? If so, you probably remember how important it was to do what the leader did. If they placed their hand on their head, then you were supposed to place your hand on your head. If they touched their toes, then you touched your toes. In order to follow, you had to keep your eye on the leader. You had to pay attention to the leader’s words. God LEADS us in the way we should go, in the way that is profitable. How closely do we listen to Him and follow His lead?
God, You are our LEADER! What a blessing to follow You!
Praise to our LAWGIVER
“For the Lord is our judge, The Lord is our lawgiver, The Lord is our king; He will save us—”
I like this verse because it reminds me that God’s given us laws in order to save and bless us. Just as we “lay down the law” to children, “Look right and left before crossing the street;” God gives us moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by life. Try living apart from God’s laws, and you’ll see why He has given us laws.
The Lord is our LAWGIVER, judge, king, and Savior. We’re blessed when we listen to Him and follow His commands.
Lord, we praise You, LAWGIVER, for Your commands and instructions that protect and provide for us.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your LAVISH GRACE
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He LAVISHED on us.
Do you ever feel like you’ve sinned one too many times? Maybe you vowed to never again do something, but broke your promise to God. I don’t know anyone who feels like they’re perfect in God’s eyes. I know I’m not. The amazing blessing is that God, in His love, has provided for us to come to Him by means of His lavish grace. God’s grace isn’t begrudgingly meted out in teaspoons. Rather, God’s Niagara Falls grace flows in abundance washing us of our sins. When you think “God,” think “LAVISH GRACE.”
Praise to the Lord, My LAMP
“You are my lamp, O Lord;
And the Lord illumines my darkness.”
If we hurriedly read David’s words in 2 Samuel 22:29, we might get the impression that he’s sailing through life with God as His LAMP. But if we listen to David’s words in the context in which they’re written, we learn that he’s in the dark, battling an enemy, and has walls he needs to get over. (2 Samuel 22:30) Are you in the dark in some area of your life? Are you battling something? Are there walls you need to get over? God is your LAMP, too. Turn to His counsel. Walk one step at a time in the light He shines on your path.
Thank you, Lord, for being the LAMP who sheds light on our path day and night.
Praise the LAMB of GOD
“These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said,
‘Behold, the LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sin of the world!‘”
Do you remember the account when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac? I’ll never forget when the words jumped off the pages of the Bible. Abraham said to Isaac as they walked to the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.” (Gen 22:8)
God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.
And, He did. A ram appeared in the bushes and Abraham sacrificed the lamb in Isaac’s place. And, so God does that for us. He provided the Lamb – Jesus – innocent, holy, undefiled – to be the sacrifice for our sins.
God provided for Himself the sacrifice.
Is it any wonder that the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth was first made to shepherds? The shepherds left their flock to find and worship the LAMB of God; as we should daily, continually do.
Jesus, LAMB OF GOD, thank You for giving Your precious life as a sacrifice for our sins. Father, thank You for sacrificing Your Son to save us from our sins. We adore and worship You!
Praise to God who KNOWS ALL (OMNISCIENT)
Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you KNOW it all.
God is ALL KNOWING. He knows our thoughts. Romans 8:26,27. He knows our future. Acts 11:27,28. There is no one to whom we can go who is more knowledgeable. We can bow before Him. We can tell Him our needs. We can admit our secrets and struggles. Wherever life is taking us, He knows where we are and the best course of action for us to take. We’re wise to ask for His help.
Lord, we praise you and thank You, ALL KNOWING, OMNISCIENT Lord!