For my daily study, I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at why God demands we praise Him. John Piper opens today's devotion by quoting C.S. Lewis, who writes that people "delight to praise what [they] enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation." John Piper goes further: "[t]here is the answer — the solution to the apparent egomania of God in demanding us to praise him! It is a demand for our greatest happiness." The ultimate end for Piper's reasoning is that God - if in Piper's words "loves us enough to make our joy full," He must advocate for Himself as this is the "the ultimately loving act" for us. God loves us, is for us, seeks our joy, and our love and joy is complete in the praise of Him! Piper closes the devotion by referring us to Ephesians 1:12, 14 where Paul shares how God "preserves for us and offers to us the only thing in all the world that can satisfy our longings."
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives Himself to us for our praise and joy in You. Thank You Jesus! The greatest gift of all time....I am not deserving of such a gift and the blessings that follow. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
