Once upon a time there were two people living in a foreign land who got a package from home.  When they went to the post office to pick it up, the customs official opened it and took out two packets of tea, the kind of tea that they really liked and wasn’t available locally. Smiling, the customs official said, “You can’t have these; customs regulations!”  And with that he put the tea into his desk drawer.

Now, how should these two people react?  There are two basic possibilities: to complain or to praise–and we all know which is the correct one.  These two people took a moment to pray, “Why, Lord, thank you for all the times tea did come to us and customs let it through. Thank you that this time we didn’t get it.” Then those two people left the post office with light hearts and had a really good day.

Praise is a wonderful responsibility that God has given us.  It keeps us dwelling in the Truth, and, as you know “…the Truth will set you free.” (as Jesus said n John 8:32).  Praise sets us free from the nasty so we can dwell on the nice. (Phil 4:8).

Very often we seek God’s will in certain matters, but more often we forget God’s will for all matters: Praise.  Praise is commanded or demonstrated over 250 times in Scripture—that alone is a powerful indication of its’ importance in our lives.  And in Revelation it is indicated that praise will be our primary occupation in the life to come.  And do you know why we can praise God in and for all things? It is simply because of His character.  Praise itself directs our attention to the character of our Lord Jesus Christ and releases in our lives a fragrance that will attract others to Him.