Exalt and Magnify (Psalm 34:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 34:3

To magnify is "to make something greater" or "to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect" (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). When we magnify the Lord, we tell of His greatness, of His majesty, of His holiness.

To exalt is "to raise something to a higher level" or "to praise highly" or "to elevate by praise" (M-W Dictionary). When we exalt the Lord, we rightfully praise Him for His many attributes.

There truly is not god like our God. He is the Creator of the universe, and He is sovereign over all. He is Alpha and Omega. He sees all. He knows all. He provides for our needs and is our refuge in the storm. He loves us everlastingly, and He is with us always.

He is our healer and giver of strength. He walks alongside us every day ... and sometimes carries us when we can't take another step.

He is Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. He is Protector and Guide.

He is everything.

So, how can we do anything less than magnify His name? How can we not share His goodness and grace and mercy with those around us? How can we not praise Him and exalt Him ... every day?

Take a moment now and just meditate on His love for you. His provision. His grace. His mercy. And then spend even more moments magnifying His name and exalting Him.

Every Knee Will Bow (Philippians 2:9-11)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:9-11

One day, every single human being—past, present, future—will kneel at the feet of Jesus. Everyone will confess that He is Lord.

For some of us, that will be a joyful day of celebration! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait. For others, though, they will finally recognize that Jesus is the Lord they rejected. The Bible describes a people who will wail, weep, and gnash their teeth (see Matt. 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28). These people will know only an eternity separated from their God.

This day will come. So what are we to do?

First, I believe we believers need to constantly and continually exalt Jesus now. Worship Him. Praise Him. We need to spend time with our Father and know Him more deeply by reading His word.

Second, we need to share Christ with our non-believing friends and family. We need to seek opportunities to tell others about the joy of knowing Christ, the freedom that comes from serving Him.

Don’t you want to know you influenced others to follow Christ, so they can bow a knee and confess their love for our Savior? I know I do.

Praise the Lord! Really. (Psalm 71:22-24)

Today's scripture: Psalm 71:22-24

Praise the Lord!

How often do you say that ... and not really think about what you're saying?

We who follow Christ tend to use that phrase or talk about some praise song we sung Sunday morning without much thought.

But when we look at verses like today, we should be convicted by how the psalmist defines praise. He writes how he "greatly rejoices." He "talks of [God's] righteousness all the day long ..." so that those around him are "confounded" and "brought to shame."

Praise to him is a constant focus on the Lord and His attributes. He is overjoyed at the privilege of being able to offer praise and worship to the God of the universe.

Two synonyms for praise are "exalt" and "glorify." Both of these words allude to thinking more about the one being exalted or glorified than oneself. Even more, the psalmist is so focused on praising God that others actually see their own sin ... and perhaps their need for a Savior.

When we offer praise to God, our hearts and minds should be solidly centered on Him. Our aim should be to exalt and glorify Him. We should find great joy in honoring Him.

And as we do, we should pray that others will see the joy we find in the one, true, righteous God.

Perhaps they'll feel led to praise Him too.

Magnify and Exalt Our God (Psalm 34:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 34:3

To magnify is "to make something greater" or "to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect" (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). When we magnify the Lord, we tell of His greatness, of His majesty, of His holiness.

To exalt is "to raise something to a higher level" or "to praise highly" or "to elevate by praise" (M-W Dictionary). When we exalt the Lord, we rightfully praise Him for His many attributes.

There truly is not god like our God. He is the Creator of the universe, and He is sovereign over all. He is Alpha and Omega. He sees all. He knows all. He provides for our needs and is our refuge in the storm. He loves us everlastingly, and He is with us always.

He is our healer and giver of strength. He walks alongside us every day ... and sometimes carries us when we can't take another step.

He is Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. He is Protector and Guide.

He is everything.

So, how can we do anything less than magnify His name? How can we not share His goodness and grace and mercy with those around us? How can we not praise Him and exalt Him ... every day?

Take a moment now and just meditate on His love for you. His provision. His grace. His mercy. And then spend even more moments magnifying His name and exalting Him.

Our Lord and Savior (Ephesians 4:8-10)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:8-10

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came to earth in human form. He grew up, experiencing the same things we did … happiness and sorrow, hunger and a full belly, fatigue and rest.

Through His teen years and twenties, He learned and plied the trade of His earthly father, constructing … well, we’re not exactly told what, but likely tables and shelves and bedsteads. He may have smashed a thumb or two with a hammer or felt the pain of sore muscles.

At thirty, He began His earthly ministry, and at the very first, experienced temptation by the lies of the enemy. He went on to heal lepers and blind men, cast out demons, and raise the dead to life. He grew intimate relationships with twelve chosen followers.

He taught love and warned of persecution. He claimed oneness with the Father, the Creator of all. He forgave sins.

Finally, He was betrayed by a close friend, denied by an even closer friend, and forced through a sham trial. Beaten. Ridiculed. Spat on.

Crucified. Buried. “… descended into the lower parts of the earth …”

Ah, but then He rose from the dead. Alive!

After spending time with His followers—some 500 of them—He ascended to the right hand of the Father. Where He sits today. Alive and interceding for us.

One day, He will return. He will gather all His followers to Himself. One day, He will set up an earthly kingdom, a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1), where “… God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Praise our Lord Jesus today for what He’s done and for whom He is.

Exalt the Lord (Psalm 99:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 99:4-5

The Lord is holy and righteous. He is just. He is equitable as He offers salvation and forgiveness of sin to all people.

If only they seek Him.

Anyone who exalts God and worships at His footstool, seeking His forgiveness, will be cleansed from his or her sins.

And here on earth, we can praise Him, worship Him, and exalt Him. We can honor Him with our actions, thoughts, and words. We have the privilege of speaking directly to Him in prayer and reading His word to us.

Our holy God demands—and deserves—our total surrender. For some, that seems too much. They don’t want to give up control. But honestly? I’ve found that when I surrender my life, my plans, my relationships to Him, He does amazingly beyond my expectations. And even those times when I didn’t get what I wanted, even those times when I suffered—when I still suffer—I see how God works everything for good (Romans 8:28).

And He is worthy—more than worthy—of all my praise and exaltations.