So what if we took more of the Bible literally? What difference might it make? What if we actually washed each other’s feet? . . . what humility! What if we actually sold more of what we had and distributed it within the church to those who were in need? . . . what community! What if we actually greeted one another with a holy kiss? . . . ok . . . maybe not. But, what’s got me thinking about this though, is something I read in Psalm 119 this morning.

“Seven times a day I praise You, for Your righteous rules.” (Ps. 119:164  ESV)

What if I literally praised God seven times a day?

And it’s got me thinking . . . how many times a day do I, on average, praise God? Morning devotions, one . . . if I eat three meals a day and pray before each, that would get me up to four . . . if, “now I lay me down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep” that might get me up to five. But seven? I don’t hit five very often. I certainly don’t average five. So, what if I purposed to praise Him seven times a day?

I guess part of it has to be what’s the motivation to offer praise to God? For the Psalmist it’s clear: “My heart stands in awe of Your word . . . I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure . . . I love Your law . . . Great peace have those who love Your law . . . I love them exceedingly” (Ps 119:161-168). You gotta love Psalm 119. The Psalmist is crazy in love with the word of God . . . it’s his strength . . . his wisdom . . . his comfort . . . his lamp . . . his revival . . . his hope . . . and, it is a major well from which the spring of praise gushes.

But what else fuels the “praise factor?” How about my sin forgiven? . . . that should generate some praise. How about the knowledge that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit and that He actively is working within me to conform me to the image of Christ? . . . do I hear a “hallelujah” coming from that one. How about the reality of an intimate relationship with the Father? . . . worthy of worship? . . . I’m thinking so. Pile on a “peace that passes understanding” and a “hope that endures” and you’re starting to create a bit of revival meeting here. So . . . why don’t I praise God seven times a day?

And it’s not that I need to set a quota . . . not that I need to schedule seven praises a day . . . but maybe the question is, why don’t I find myself praising God more often during the day? Praying before each meal is a good start . . . a good foundation. A bit of praise mixed with devotion times just seems natural. But what about a spontaneous, “You are awesome God” when I catch a glimpse of Mt. Rainier? Or, how about a “thank you, Lord” just slipping past my lips when I’m reminded of some blessing I enjoy at His gracious hand?

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus declares that He is the One who fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy in the first part Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). But if you read on a bit more in Isaiah it also declares that Messiah will “provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isa. 61:3 NIV). What if I took that literally . . . Jesus has provided a garment of praise . . . what if I determined to put it on? . . . what if I were to become more aware of it’s availability? Oh, that I might be more bound up in the clothing of praise . . . an attitude of rejoicing . . . a mindset of continual thanksgiving.

Father, I’m amazed at how quickly the praise factor that is present during morning devotions can dissipate throughout the day. The focus shifts . . . the distractions increase . . . oh, Father, how I desire to put on the garment of praise . . . oh, that “Praise the Lord” might be a frequently present thought as I encounter life . . . that You would be glorified multiple times a day as I “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

One down . . . six (or more) to go . . .