Pleasant and Fitting
Scripture Reading — Psalm 147:1-11
How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
—Psalm 147:1
Not everything that is fitting is pleasant.
Forgiving an offender is fitting, but it may not be pleasant, particularly if the offense is oft-repeated (see Matthew 18:21-22). Giving and receiving discipline is fitting, but it may not be pleasant (see Hebrews 12:11).
Ultimately, both forgiving and discipline are pleasant, for forgiving overcomes our bitterness and often restores the offender, and discipline produces righteousness and peace. But it may take time to see the pleasant results.
Psalm 147 tells us that praise is both pleasant and fitting as soon as we do it. “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”
Praise lifts our spirit. Praise restores our hope. Praise dispels our uncertainty and celebrates God’s victories. Praise glorifies our God and magnifies our Savior. Praise is the lifeblood of our souls. Praise is the language of heaven. No wonder praise is pleasant!
God declares that praise is fitting as well. Shall we not then do what is pleasant and fitting more often, more spontaneously, more exuberantly, more reverently, more sincerely?
Lent is a fitting time to praise God—and that is pleasant.
Father, in this season, fill our hearts with pleasant and fitting praise that overflows from our hearts to honor you. Through Jesus Christ our hope, Amen.
About the author — Dale Vander Veen
Dale Vander Veen is a retired Christian Reformed pastor who with his wife, Edith, has ministered in California, Washington, and Michigan. They have three married children and six grandchildren. He currently writes a daily e-mail series of devotions.
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