Key Verse: Verse 1- “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness."
Key Words: Great is the LORD
The word great carries the idea of being “larger than life.” Because God is great He is to be greatly praised. This is no ordinary praise, it’s a great praise. It’s a praise of God that reveals that God is, to the testifier, larger than life.
John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn’t even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man’s misfortunes. “And what else do you thank God for?” he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, “I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!” Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.
Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley’s extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath.”
Today and everyday, I challenge you to praise God so others will see in you that God is larger than life.
What to do:
✞ Praise the Lord, for He is great!
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