Praise for the Giver of Time

Jan 29

January 3, 2023

What better way to start the new year than to honour the one who gave us time. Time that regulates our whole lives: when we sleep, when we eat, when we work, when we play. Time that we mark with such vigour every 12 months. God, the creator of all things, God who is called the God of the Ages, created time. He put the sun in place to rule the day, and the moon to rule the night “to mark seasons and days and years” (Gen 1:14). Who is this God?

Psalm 145 is an ode to him, a psalm of praise written by David in which he pledges to use his time to praise the Lord. “Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever” he says in verse 2. The psalm then proceeds to do just that, and in the process provides a good example of just how to go about praising God.

PSALM 145

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Notice that he lists God’s attributes – at least 10: He is great, majestic, splendrous ( i.e. full of grandeur), a craftsman and worker without equal, gracious, compassionate, patient (slow to anger), overflowing in love, good and righteous. We could study and meditate on each of these for a long time and not exhaust their meaning in relation to God.

But David goes further. After describing who God is he goes on to list what he has done – just some of God’s actions on our behalf. It’s an impressive list: David highlights 8 of God’s deeds. He is faithful to his promises, loving, lifts up the fallen, satisfies our desires, stays close to those who seek him, listens to our cries, saves, watches over us.

As you reflect on the year past and start a new year, how will you praise Him? What do you most appreciate about God in your experience of Him? What attributes spring to mind? What are the mighty acts He has done on your behalf? Take time to acknowledge these to Him.

Let us join David in giving praise to our God. As the following hymn says, let’s begin the year with praise.

At Thy feet, our God and Father

1. At Thy feet, our God and Father,
who has blessed us all our days,
we with grateful hearts would gather
to begin the year with praise –

2. Praise for light so brightly shining
on our steps from heav'n above,
praise for mercies daily twining
round us golden cords of love.

3. Jesus, for your love most tender
on the cross for sinners shown,
we would praise you and surrender
all our hearts to be your own:

4. With so blessed a friend provided,
we upon our way would go,
sure of being safely guided,
guarded well from ev'ry foe.

James Drummond Burns (1823 - 1864)

Have a blessed and praise-filled New Year!

Dahlia Fraser

Dahlia grew up as a country girl in rural Jamaica in the community of Mt Nebo, where her father served as a Baptist pastor. Her mother taught at the local primary school. As a child Dahlia loved reading and exploring the outdoors with her siblings.

Dahlia attended the University of the West Indies and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. For several years she worked in the publishing industry, first with Scripture Union and later with Government and private sector companies.

Feeling the need for a change and desiring to be more equipped to serve the Kingdom of God, Dahlia moved to Toronto Canada in 2005 and attended Tyndale Seminary. She graduated in 2008 with the MTS (Masters in Theological Studies).

After 10 years in Toronto Dahlia returned to Jamaica to be with her aging parents. She attends the Ocho Rios Baptist Church where she serves as lay preacher, small group leader, and counsellor among other roles.

Dahlia enjoys the countryside, friends, Bible study and reflection and continues to be in awe of the goodness and greatness of God. She desires that people everywhere will experience the freedom Jesus brings and fulfil the wonderful purposes he has ordained for them.

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