Tuesday 29 March 2011

Background

The story so far (in Daniel2) ... King Nebuchadnezzzar has been having troubled dreams. Heasks for somebody to interpret them, but also to tell him what thedream was in the first place. When his advisers say that this istoo difficult and that they need to know the dream first, the Kingaccuses them of trying to buy time. Nebuchadnezzzar flies into arage and commands that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed,which includes the prophet Daniel.

Thankfully Daniel is a man of God and is filled with God's wisdom.He speaks tactfully to Arioch (the royal official whom the king hadappointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon (Daniel2:24)) and is given time to retell and interpret the dream.With God's help, Daniel is able to solve the mystery. It is inresponse to this salvation that Daniel sings the song of praise weread today.

Praise is an essential part of expressing faith. It goes beyondthanksgiving and into an expression of joy in what has been done onour behalf. When children are praised they become 'bigger' and'brighter', and so do those praising them. Praise is an expressionof an honest relationship which strives to build one another up inlove.

To Ponder

Praise is one of the ways in which we expresslove. How can we praise those we encounter without patronisingthem?

The Lord's Prayer includes praise. How much doyou include praise in your daily prayer?

Praise is a two way process. How easy ordifficult do you find it to allow God to build you up when you arepraising? Why?