All Day, Every Day!

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean revel in Him!"


The Message translates Paul's words in Philippians 4:5 as a true declaration of praise and an unmistakable call to live each day to fullest. There seems to be little room for compartmentalization. In everything, praise God!

The Psalmist stated it this way: "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1, Amplified Bible) This is not a call to live life apart from pain and disappointment, for heartache and uncertainty wound us deeply in the seasons of this life. These two writers remind us however, that praise is not a situational gift offered to God. Praise is to be a constant expression of faith that speaks more about who God is that what we believe about God. Our feelings and viewpoints will change, but the Eternal One does not change. God is worthy of our praise every hour of every day. Therefore, we praise God sometimes with joyous words and thoughts, and sometimes we praise God through tears and brokenness.

The cold, mid-winter ground yielded a momentary glimpse of spring a few weeks ago as two tiny crocus blooms presented themselves in full color outside our kitchen window. It was a reminder of things to come, but also of God's provision in that particular moment. Jesus spoke in John 10:10 of the abundant living that he came to bring for all. We choose at times to live as people of poverty, not in a monetary or deeply spiritual sense, but rather as those beaten down, disadvantaged, who have little hope. Paul reminds us that God is to be celebrated every day..."I mean revel in Him!"

Our struggles aren't made non-existent when we offer God praise, but we gain a perspective about who God is that empowers "next-step" living, particularly when we don't think we can put one foot in front of the other. To praise the living God is to look beyond ourselves and recognize that our hope comes from the Lord, "the maker of heaven and earth."

In your devotional time tonight or tomorrow, read again Psalm 121. Be reminded that God is your help...that God knows of your "coming in and your going out," and that "the Lord watches over you."

Yes brothers and sisters, "Celebrate God every day, all day." Let us revel in the One who is ever worthy of our praise!


Jim Abernathy