The Joy of Praise by Muriel Larson

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2).
Have you ever wondered where the forget-me-not sky-blue flower got its name? Legend says it was derived from the last words of a German knight who drowned while trying to retrieve this flower for his lady. That German lady probably remembered her gallant knight for a long time because of his last poignant words.But there is someone else who is far, far more important to people all over the world than that nameless knight. And the marvelous things He has done for us cry out for the remembrance in praise. Yet we forget our Lord and His benefits all too easily in this busy world, don't we? And we may stand in church week after week singing praise songs to God without the thankful joy that should be experienced with their singing. I have seen many who have sung such songs in church choirs never crack a smile of joy!

SPECIAL PEOPLE

One reason God called David a "man after my own heart" was because David frequently reminded himself and others of God's benefits, and he regularly praised God for them. "Bless the Lord" means "Praise the Lord!"
How much less depressed we would be if we started each day praising the Lord for all the wonderful things He has done for us! The Lord forgives us all our sins; He heals our diseases. He redeemed us from eternal damnation; He loved us even while we were yet rebellious sinners. He crowns us with love and compassion. When we delight ourselves in Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts. The Lord loves us with an everlasting love!

WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR JOY?

My people have forgotten me," God said sadly to Jeremiah of the Israelites.
And if truth be told, we for whom He died often forget Him and all He has done for us, don't we? We get so easily wrapped up in even such good things as going to church, fellowshipping on a human basis with Christian friends, working, tending to our families, etc. etc. etc. And our Lord gets lost in the shuffle. So does our joy. Then one day maybe we wake up and ask ourselves, "What happened to that thrilling joy and spirit of praise I used to have?" Well, when something good isn't used, we don't benefit from it any more. And if we have put our Lord and praising Him regularly on the back burner, no wonder we have lost our joy! If that is where you're at now, why now start glorying in the Lord and in all the wonderful things He has done for you? Get back your joy! Have a great day by praising Him for His benefits every morning when you awake.