Praising Jesus

“The people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God for the Son of David!’ […] Jesus replied, ‘Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, “You have taught children and infants to give you praise.”‘” – Matthew 21:9, 16 NLT

An unknown German writer declared that we should praise Him constantly. He expressed this conviction in a hymn known in English as “When Morning Gilds the Sky.”

In the title, the translator used a word that means to overlay with a thin covering of gold. The picture is a colorful sunrise. It is a reminder that we should start each day praising Jesus.

We should praise Him morning and evening. We should praise Him at home or work. We can speak or sing His praises. With “the hosts of angels cry,” we can praise Him with instruments. We praise Him in fellowship with other believers or by ourselves. We praise Him when we are old and young.

If we are sad, we find solace in praising Him. As the anonymous writer knew, we praise Him when we face opposition, knowing that “the powers of darkness fear” when we praise Him. When we think about His blessings, we should never tire of praising Him.

The throngs praised Jesus when He approached Jerusalem for the last time on earth. But while we live, we have the opportunity to praise Him anytime. We never should stop. Every stanza of this hymn ends with the phrase, “May Jesus Christ be praised.”

As we praise Him, we are joining the heavenly choir, remembering that we will spend eternity praising Him. Today, spend time praising Jesus. He is worthy!

Reflection Question: Write your own hymn of praise for the day’s sunrise and sunset.