Intermediate Edition

II. Reasons to Exalt God

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Chapter 25  Part II

Reasons to Exalt God

The Bible is bulging with good reasons for which to exalt God. Generally speaking, these compelling reasons or things for which to exalt God, concern what God is like and what he does.

Aspects of God’s Being

God’s glory

“Praise the glory of the Lord in heaven above!”   Ezekiel 3:12b GNT

God’s greatness

Praise him for his surpassing greatness!   Psalms 150:2b NET

God’s power

Praise him for his mighty acts!   Psalms 150:2a NET

[Paul, to believers:] Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, 21to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.   Ephesians 3:20-21 NET

God’s wisdom and knowledge

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! 34For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? … 36… To him be glory forever! Amen.   Romans 11:33-34, 36b NET

Aspects of God’s Character

God’s holiness

Praise the Lord our God! Worship on his holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy!   Psalms 99:9 NET

God’s holiness – in which he is set apart from all others in his purity and righteousness – should evoke awe, praise and worship.

God’s love and faithfulness

[David, to God:] I will give you thanks before the nations, O Master! I will sing praises to you before foreigners! 10For your loyal love extends beyond the sky, and your faithfulness reaches the clouds.   Psalms 57:9-10 NET

God’s mercy

People who are not Jewish praise God for his mercy as well.   Romans 15:9a GW

This has in view what God has done for all people through Christ.

What God Does in the World

God’s creative work

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!”   Revelation 4:11 NET

God’s provision of water and food

Offer to the Lord a song of thanks! Sing praises to our God to the accompaniment of a harp! 8He covers the sky with clouds, provides the earth with rain, and causes grass to grow on the hillsides. 9He gives food to the animals, and to the young ravens when they chirp.   Psalms 147:7-9 NET

God’s reign

[John, describing a vision:] Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the All–Powerful, reigns!   Revelation 19:6 NET

“Hallelujah” is a call to praise God, often used itself as an expression of praise to God.

God’s word

[David:] In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.   Psalms 56:10-11a ESV

What God Does for His People

God’s salvation through Christ and the associated blessings . . .

[Zechariah, speaking of the salvation that would come through Jesus:] Praise the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to save his people. 69Our God has given us a mighty Savior from the family of David his servant.   Luke 1:68-69 CEV

[Paul, to believers:] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.   Ephesians 1:3 NCV™

The phrase “in the heavenly world” may be indicating that the blessings are ones that we will experience in the afterlife. Alternatively, the phrase is possibly emphasizing the heavenly and eternal dimension of spiritual blessings that we have now.

. . . in which one should rejoice

[Peter, to believers:] You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.   1 Peter 1:8-9 NET

God’s deliverance from difficulties . . .

[David:] I will thank you, Lord, because you are good. 7You have saved me from all my troubles, and I have seen my enemies defeated.   Psalms 54:6b-7 NCV™

. . . in which one should rejoice

At that time they [God’s people at the end of the age] will say, “Look, here is our God! We waited for him and he delivered us. Here is the Lord! We waited for him. Let’s rejoice and celebrate his deliverance!”   Isaiah 25:9 NET

Pray for persecuted Christians