Nancy, my oldest sister was a competitive swimmer and diver in high school. For one or two summers she taught swimming to children in the community pool. Her first summer she struggled to keep their attention until one day Nancy came home all smiles. She announced at dinner that she had discovered that praising the children worked a whole lot easier than telling them that they weren’t doing the right moves. “When I praise them, they try even harder, ” she said. “It’s like magic! From now on, that’s all I’m going to do.” Her words stayed with me. Years later when I taught school, I made the same discovery with my students. Honest praise was like food to their spirits. It was really motivating.

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises of your name, O Most High. I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of your wonderful deeds.(Psalm 9:1-2) the Psalmist overflows with praise for God, for in praise we acknowledge and share the qualities and achievements of the one we praise. It’s a form of union with that one, that recognizes the object of our praise. Praise is a thread throughout the Bible. In Genesis God views His creation and declares it “Good”. Praise incorporates the accomplishment of one into the experience of another. It is bonding and encouraging, and an integral part of the relationship between God and His people. Praise encourages both the one who praises and the one who is praised.

In a time of Lenten reflection, it’s good to remember the splendor of God, to meditate not only upon our shortcomings, but also upon the wonderful sufficiency of God: For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. (Psalm 95:4)

We live in a fallen world. Evidences of evil are close at hand and even in our own minds and hearts. In Lent we call this to mind and could easily become discouraged, but the very week before his death, Jesus spoke of the praise of his believers: “I tell you,” Jesus replied to the Pharisees, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

(Luke 19: 40)

The praise of God’s people reminds us of Him, and Him of us, and opens a way forward for us to live in His amazing,even though broken world.

Love in Him,

Prue