PSALM 34:1 ‘I will Bless The Lord, at all times, His praise shall continually, be in my mouith,’

DAILY READING —  Hebrews 2; Genesis 46:28-47:31; Psalm 37

After the account of St. Stephen’s death in acts of the apostles, the story of Polycarp is the next oldest existing factual account of martyrdom as recorded in the year 156AD. Polycarp was an important leader in the early Church, a disciple of St. John the Apostle and later appointed bishop of Smyrna (in modern-day Turkey).

According to history, Polycarp was betrayed by a servant.  On hearing that he was being sought to be arrested, he escaped, but was later discovered. After feasting the guards who apprehended him, he desired an hour of prayer. When this was allowed him, he prayed with such fervency, that his guards repented that they had been instrumental in taking him. He was, however, carried before the proconsul, who condemned him. The proconsul then urged him, saying, “Swear, and I will release thee;–reproach Christ.”
Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?”  He was taken to the stake to which he was only tied, but not nailed as usual,
as he assured them he should stand immovable. When the flames were kindled they encircled his body, like an arch, without touching him; and the executioner, on seeing this, was ordered to pierce him with a sword, but then so great a quantity of blood flowed out as extinguished the fire. All this while Polycarp was singing and ptaising God.

When we read such amazing testimonies of early Christians we should indeed wonder and ponder. Imagine a man being burned at the stakes and he chooses to praise God instead. He chose to use his last breath to praise God. Those early Christians walked in the very reality of God’s Presence.  They therefore saw every discomfort or pain  as an opportunity to offer a sacrifice of praise unto God.. In the same vein, today, we should in all things give thanks to God, seeking for ways to constantly bring glory to His Name. This is what we are called to do as Christians. Though we will not be burned with physical fire, yet there are fires of afflictions  and trials that sometimes come to try us. When we face such fire of trials, we should see them as opportunities to give God worthy praise. Indeed we should bless The Lord at all times. And when you praise, you will be raised out of such fires. In acts 16, when Paul and Silas despite their pain chose to praise God, they were delivered out of imprisonment.  Praise will always guarantee deliverance out of every captivity.

1 Peter 2:9 says ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’.

God called us out of darkness into light to offer Him praise, continually. When we understand this purpose, then we like David can declare, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’

In an atmosphere of continual praise, there are no pressures, only pleasures. In His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forever more.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to bless You at all times, despite any challenge I may face.  let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my mouth in Jesus Name.

QUOTE ; Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.