For us, it was pretty important that our kids learned good manners at an early age. Teaching our toddlers to say “Please” and “Thank you” was one of our priorities. There were just some things that were the right things to do. To not say “Please” was to presume or demand . . . to not say “Thank You” was to be ungrateful and carry a spirit of entitlement. How easy is it for those who have required good manners from others to slip into bad habits themselves . . . especially when it comes to the divine.

Praise is due to You, O God, in Zion, and to You shall vows be performed. O You who hears prayer, to You shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, You atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple!      (Psalm 65:1-4 ESV)

Praise is due . . . pay up!

The notes in my Bible say that the occasion for writing this song was a fruitful harvest as indicated by the latter part of the psalm. The fruit of the field cried out for a response. Though they had planted . . . it was Another who had watered the earth and enabled the bounty. Praise was due . . .

And I can’t help but think how easy it is for the child of God to presume on the blessings of God . . . how prone we are to expect the favor of God as if we were owed it by God . . . how callous we can become to the riches of God thinking that somehow we’ve earned them. Time for manners 101, saint . . . say “Thank You” . . . praise is due.

Consider just some of the “fruit” of our salvation. God inclines His ear to our cries . . . what’s more He invites us into the Holy of Holies, to approach His throne and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16) . . . the way having been opened up by the blood of Jesus. Oh yeah . . . the blood . . . the means by which my iniquities are atoned for . . . my trespasses — past, present, future . . . paid for through the once for all sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. And what’s more, such blessings are determined not because of who we are or what we’ve done . . . but in spite of it. Rather, He has determined to set His affection on us and draw us near to Himself that we might “settle down” in the place of His presence . . . a place where we can be filled to the full with the goodness of God . . . that we might abide in the beauty of His holiness.

Talk about a bountiful harvest of spiritual blessings . . . and this above His faithfulness in meeting our physical needs for the day. I’m thinking a simple “Thank You” is in order.

I know not everyone is wired the same way . . . I know that there are those who are less emotionally demonstrative . . . but come on . . . how does someone whose sins have been atoned for . . . who has been invited into the very Presence of God, Almighty God . . . who has known what it is to dwell in the midst of His Holiness . . . how does that person not delight in such favor and blessing . . . how does a ripple of unworthiness, followed by a wave of gratefulness, not flood their soul . . . how does a smile not come across their face . . . how can they not, at some point, burst forth in praise . . . and pay up?

Praise is due to You, O God!

O’ that praise might never be far from my tongue . . . that I might be quick to pay up! Because of His grace . . . and for His glory . . .