Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Psalm 89:15-17
Praising God isn’t something we do just when we are feeling emotionally warm and happy with our circumstances. When we understand God’s greatness we’re able to praise him regardless of what’s going on in our lives because we know that what’s happening in the spiritual realms is far more enduring than our temporary inconveniences. However, it takes time to cultivate this perspective. Acclaiming God is a learned attitude that comes with spiritual maturity.
We can develop this attitude by considering God’s perspective, to look beyond short-term annoyances and realize that God’s purposes are greater than we imagine. We learn to “walk in the light of your presence”, by seeking his ways. His ways teach us to be humble, undemanding, merciful, wholesome, peaceable and desirous for more of him (Matthew 5:3-10). Whereas the ways of the world are full of self-promotion and self-preoccupation.
We celebrate his righteousness because we know that God has a plan to deal with evil and banish it forever. He achieved righteousness for us through Christ’s death on the cross and we have hope for a future without wickedness. The world as we know it is coming to a culmination and we will have vindication.
God is the Source of our glory and strength. Through his Spirit working in our lives, we are enabled to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
