Finish Well Through Praise

Friend, how do want to finish your life? Nobody wants to end their life in disgrace or failure. But is there a higher goal in the Christian life than to keep our noses clean? Can we look forward to more than a sigh of relief that we made it? 

I have adopted the goal of the Psalmist in Psalm 146:2 as my own, and I submit it to you as an aim worthy of consideration: “I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” 

This man was aiming high! He wanted to go out praising the goodness of the LORD! What a great attitude to have, not only at the end of one’s life but all throughout life! As a matter of fact, we will not be praising God at the end of our lives if we have not been praising and worshipping Him during our lives.  

So, in truth, our “swan song” of praise must start now and continue throughout the course of our lives. How about you? Would someone observing your life say that you are living a life of praise and thanksgiving? Or, more often than not, are you negative, surly, and down in the dumps? 

But, you may say, “you don’t understand what I’m going through! Life is hard right now, and it’s been very difficult for a long time!” Let me take you inside a Roman prison for a moment and peek in on the Apostle Paul. He is writing a letter to the Philippians urging them to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). And if you think Paul is blowing smoke here, remember when he and Silas were in the Philippian jail? Having been severely beaten, they were singing praises to God! As a result, the jailer and his whole family came to faith in Christ. 

You and I CAN rejoice in whatever our circumstances. It is simply and matter of perspective and choice. Perspective, because we must keep our eyes on the Lord and choice, because we have the option to choose praising instead of pouting. 

If we start now and develop a life of praise and thanksgiving, we WILL finish well. And like the Psalmist, we will not only praise the LORD all our lives, but we will end our journey on this earth with praise in our hearts and on our lips. This will honor our Lord Jesus and bring souls to Him. Let’s choose praise, starting now!