Magnificent Prayer #129
Magnificent Prayer #129
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Psalm 48:1 KJV
“Great is the Lord!”
So many people have such a little God! There is nothing about Him august and sublime. And so He is not greatly praised. The worship is thin, the thanksgivings are scanty, the supplications are indifferent.
All great saints have a great God. He fills their universe. Therefore do they move about in a fruitful awe, and everywhere there is only a thin veil between them and His appearing. Everywhere they discern His holy presence, as the face of a bride is dimly seen beneath her bridal veil. And so even the common scrub of the wilderness is aflame with sacred fire: the humble “primrose on the rock” becomes “the court of Deity”: and the “strength of the hills is His also”!
Yes, a great God inspires great praise, and in great praise small cares and small meannesses are utterly consumed away. When praise is mean, anxieties multiply. Therefore let me contemplate the greatness of God in nature and in providence, in His power, and His holiness, and His love. Let me “stand in awe” before His glory: and in the fruitful reverence the soul will be moved in acceptable praise.
JOHN HENRY JOWETT
Pray About It: Today is a day of high praise! Great is our God and greatly to be praised! Look and see the work of our great God in nature. See Him in the faces of humankind.
Those troubles about which you want to pray—try praising God today instead. Watch your troubles dwindle and be consumed by your praise of God.
Give God great glory today, for He is worthy!
The purpose of God is to be known and praised and enjoyed and reverenced among all the peoples of the earth. That is why the world exists. That is why the church exists. That is why you exist.
JOHN PIPER
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
Psalm 67:3
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