May 6 (Daily reading: Psalms 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132) Comparing our God to other “gods” produces praise. First, because of His power, His awesomeness: “For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD … awesome above all those who are around Him?” (89:6-7). Humans like super beings, such as Hercules from mythology or Superman (for my generation) or the Avengers (for my grandkids). But even man’s imagination cannot surpass what our God has done and promises to do!
We praise Him also because of His faithfulness: “LORD God of armies, who is like You, mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” (89:8). Our heroes come from our imagination or from history, but ultimately, they will no longer be with us! God is unlike any other because He will always be alive to meet our needs: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
We praise Him as Creator: “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised … For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (96:4-5). All other persons or things that we could worship pale in comparison to God when we think of Him as Creator. “Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” (100:3).
We praise Him because of our personal relationship with Him: “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (100:2). Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27). For this reason, and for a thousand other reasons, “(we) shout joyfully to the LORD … (we) enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise” … (we) give thanks to Him (and we) bless His name” (100:1, 4).
– Al Gary
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