September 30

Morning

Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. — Ps 66:2 BSB

It is not a matter of choice whether we praise God or not—praise is His rightful due, and every Christian, as a recipient of His grace, is obligated to praise Him daily. While we are not commanded to observe specific times for praise, the law written on our hearts teaches us that it is right to praise God. This unwritten command comes with as much authority as if it had been carved on tablets of stone at Mount Sinai.

Indeed, it is the Christian’s duty to praise God, not only as a delightful activity but as a sacred obligation. If you are constantly mourning, do not think you are excused from this duty. You are bound by the cords of His love to bless His name as long as you live, and His praise should always be on your lips. You are blessed so that you may bless Him in return. As God says, “This people I have formed for myself; they shall declare my praise.” If you do not offer praise to God, you are withholding the very fruit He, as the Divine Gardener, has the right to expect from you.

So do not let your harp hang unused upon the willows. Take it down and play its loudest, sweetest music. With a heart full of gratitude, arise and sing His praises. With the dawn of each new day, lift up your voice in thanksgiving, and as the sun sets, let your song rise to the heavens. Let your praises encircle the earth like a belt of melody, and the Lord will listen from heaven, pleased with your offering of praise.

Evening

There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion. — Eccl 9:4 BSB

Life, even in its most humble form, is precious and far better than death. This is especially true in spiritual matters. It is better to be the least in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest outside of it. The lowest degree of grace surpasses the highest achievements of an unregenerate person. Where the Holy Spirit has implanted divine life in the soul, there is something far more valuable than all the refinements of education or culture.

The thief on the cross is greater than Caesar on his throne. Lazarus among the dogs is better than Cicero among the senators. The most unlearned Christian is esteemed higher in God’s sight than the most brilliant philosopher. In spiritual matters, life is the badge of nobility, and those without it, whether refined or uncultured, are simply lifeless souls in need of resurrection. A living, heartfelt gospel sermon, even if it is unpolished, is far better than a beautifully crafted sermon without the Spirit’s power. A living dog is more useful to its master than a dead lion, and so the poorest spiritual preacher is infinitely more valuable than the most eloquent orator who lacks true wisdom.

The same applies to our prayers and other acts of devotion. If they are quickened by the Holy Spirit, they are acceptable to God, even if we think they are feeble. But our grand performances, if they are offered without a sincere heart, are like dead lions—useless in God’s sight. Oh, for living prayers, living groans, and living sighs rather than lifeless songs and dead rituals! Anything is better than death. Even the assaults of the devil can keep us spiritually alert, but dead faith and dead professions are the greatest curses a person can have. Quicken us, O Lord! Bring life to our hearts once again!