Enduring Hope: The Call to Increase Our Praise

 

Summary

In Psalm 71:14, the psalmist declares, "But I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more." This verse serves as a profound reminder of the enduring nature of hope and praise in the life of a believer. Despite the trials and tribulations that may come our way, our hope in God remains steadfast, and our praise should grow ever more fervent. The psalmist's resolve to praise God more and more is not just a personal commitment but a call to all believers to examine their own lives and consider how they can increase their praise.

Hope is the foundation upon which our praise is built. As believers, we possess a "lively hope" that is eternal and divine. This hope fuels our praise, allowing it to grow brighter and more intense as we draw nearer to the fulfillment of God's promises. Our praise should not diminish with age or adversity; rather, it should increase as we experience more of God's mercies and faithfulness. David, despite his troubles and infirmities, resolved to praise God more and more, demonstrating that true praise is not dependent on our circumstances but on our unwavering hope in God.

We are reminded that our praise is a reflection of our faith and hope. If our hope is strong, our praise will be vibrant and full. It is a humbling realization that, despite all that God has done for us, our praise often falls short of what He deserves. We must strive to praise God more, not out of obligation, but out of a deep sense of gratitude for His countless mercies, both temporal and spiritual.

As we grow in our understanding of God's greatness, our praise should naturally increase. Our knowledge of God should lead us to a greater appreciation of His attributes, compelling us to praise Him more fervently. Moreover, as we draw nearer to our eternal home, our praise should reflect the anticipation of the perfect praise we will offer in heaven.

In a world where God's enemies are vocal and active, our praise should be even more earnest and passionate. We are called to be zealous in our worship, ensuring that our lives are a testament to God's glory. Let us resolve to praise God more and more, allowing our lives to be a continuous song of gratitude and adoration.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hope as the Foundation of Praise: Our hope in God is eternal and divine, serving as the foundation for our praise. As our hope grows brighter, so should our praise, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives. [00:40]

2. Praise in Adversity: True praise is not dependent on our circumstances but on our unwavering hope in God. Like David, we should resolve to praise God more, even in times of trouble and infirmity. [03:47]

3. Gratitude for God's Mercies: Our praise should be a reflection of our gratitude for God's countless mercies, both temporal and spiritual. We must strive to praise God more, recognizing that our praise often falls short of what He deserves. [12:16]

4. Growing in Knowledge of God: As we grow in our understanding of God's greatness, our praise should naturally increase. Our knowledge of God should lead us to a greater appreciation of His attributes, compelling us to praise Him more fervently. [17:06]

5. Zealous Worship in a World of Opposition: In a world where God's enemies are vocal and active, our praise should be even more earnest and passionate. We are called to be zealous in our worship, ensuring that our lives are a testament to God's glory. [22:00]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Hope and Praise
- [00:25] - The Eternal Nature of Hope
- [00:52] - Hope Fuels Praise
- [01:38] - Faith and Praise
- [02:08] - David's Commitment to Praise
- [03:32] - Praise in Adversity
- [04:01] - The Joy of Praising God
- [05:08] - Reasons to Praise More
- [06:20] - Gratitude for Temporal Mercies
- [10:48] - Spiritual Mercies and Praise
- [15:58] - Experience and Gratitude
- [18:21] - Nearing Heaven's Praise
- [20:30] - Praise Amidst Opposition
- [22:41] - Hunger for Praise
- [26:14] - Overcoming Hindrances to Praise
- [33:02] - Practical Steps to Praise More

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 71:14

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the psalmist resolve to do in Psalm 71:14, and how does this reflect his attitude towards hope and praise? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between hope and praise in the life of a believer? [00:52]
3. What examples from David's life are given in the sermon to illustrate his commitment to praising God more and more? [02:08]
4. According to the sermon, how does the psalmist's resolve serve as a call to all believers? [04:40]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon suggest that hope serves as the foundation for praise, and why is this significant for believers? [00:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon indicate that praise should increase despite adversity, and what does this reveal about the nature of true praise? [03:47]
3. How does the sermon connect gratitude for God's mercies with the need to praise Him more fervently? [12:16]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between growing in knowledge of God and the intensity of our praise? [17:06]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or challenge in your life. How can you, like David, resolve to praise God more despite your circumstances? [03:47]
2. Consider the ways in which your hope in God has grown over time. How has this influenced your praise, and what steps can you take to ensure your praise continues to grow? [00:40]
3. Identify specific mercies, both temporal and spiritual, that you have experienced recently. How can you express your gratitude to God through increased praise? [12:16]
4. As you grow in your understanding of God's greatness, what practical steps can you take to deepen your appreciation of His attributes and increase your praise? [17:06]
5. In a world where opposition to God is vocal, how can you be more zealous in your worship and ensure your life is a testament to God's glory? [22:00]
6. Think about your current level of engagement in praising God. What changes can you make in your daily routine to prioritize and enhance your worship? [26:14]
7. How can you incorporate praise into your everyday activities, ensuring that your life reflects continuous gratitude and adoration for God? [36:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Hope as the Foundation of Praise
Our hope in God is the bedrock upon which our praise is built. This hope is not fleeting or temporary but eternal and divine, providing a steadfast foundation for our lives. As believers, we are called to let our hope shine brightly, illuminating the path of praise that grows more intense as we draw nearer to the fulfillment of God's promises. This hope fuels our praise, allowing it to flourish even in the face of adversity. Our praise should not wane with age or hardship; instead, it should increase as we witness more of God's mercies and faithfulness. The psalmist's declaration in Psalm 71:14 serves as a reminder that our hope in God is unshakeable, and our praise should reflect this enduring truth. [00:40]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you let your hope in God fuel your praise today, especially in areas where you feel discouraged or uncertain?


Day 2: Praise in Adversity
True praise is not contingent upon our circumstances but is rooted in our unwavering hope in God. Like David, who resolved to praise God more despite his troubles and infirmities, we are called to maintain a posture of praise even in times of difficulty. This kind of praise is a testament to our faith, demonstrating that our trust in God transcends the challenges we face. It is a humbling realization that, despite all that God has done for us, our praise often falls short of what He deserves. We must strive to praise God more, not out of obligation, but out of a deep sense of gratitude for His countless mercies, both temporal and spiritual. [03:47]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you choose to praise God in the midst of this adversity, trusting in His faithfulness?


Day 3: Gratitude for God's Mercies
Our praise should be a reflection of our gratitude for God's countless mercies, both temporal and spiritual. As we grow in our understanding of God's greatness, our praise should naturally increase. Our knowledge of God should lead us to a greater appreciation of His attributes, compelling us to praise Him more fervently. It is a humbling realization that, despite all that God has done for us, our praise often falls short of what He deserves. We must strive to praise God more, recognizing that our praise often falls short of what He deserves. [12:16]

Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV): "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Reflection: Reflect on the specific mercies God has shown you recently. How can you express your gratitude through praise today?


Day 4: Growing in Knowledge of God
As we grow in our understanding of God's greatness, our praise should naturally increase. Our knowledge of God should lead us to a greater appreciation of His attributes, compelling us to praise Him more fervently. This growth in knowledge is not merely intellectual but should transform our hearts and lives, leading us to a deeper and more vibrant expression of praise. As we draw nearer to our eternal home, our praise should reflect the anticipation of the perfect praise we will offer in heaven. [17:06]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally grow in your knowledge of God this week, and how might this growth lead to a more fervent expression of praise?


Day 5: Zealous Worship in a World of Opposition
In a world where God's enemies are vocal and active, our praise should be even more earnest and passionate. We are called to be zealous in our worship, ensuring that our lives are a testament to God's glory. This zealous worship is not just about singing songs but living lives that reflect God's love and truth. Let us resolve to praise God more and more, allowing our lives to be a continuous song of gratitude and adoration. Our praise should be a bold declaration of our faith, standing firm in the face of opposition and proclaiming the greatness of our God. [22:00]

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

Reflection: In what ways can you be more zealous in your worship this week, ensuring that your life is a testament to God's glory, even in the face of opposition?

Quotes


To believers in Jesus there remains a royal race of bards, for we have a hope of glory, a lively hope, a hope eternal and divine. Because our hope abides, our praise continues. I will hope continually and will yet praise thee. Because our hopes grow brighter and every day nearer and nearer to their fulfillment, therefore the volume of our praise increases. [00:36:00]

David had not been slack in praise; indeed, he was a sweet singer in Israel, a very choir master unto the Lord, yet he vowed to praise him more and more. Those who do much already are usually the people who can do more. He was old; would he praise God more when he was infirm than he had done when he was young and vigorous? [01:19:52]

It is humbling to remember that we may very well praise God more than we have done, for we have praised him very little as yet. What we have done as believers in glorifying God falls far, far short of his due. Personally, upon consideration, we shall each own this. Bethink thee, my dear brother or sister, what the Lord has done for thee. [05:15:45]

We ought surely to praise God more today than any other previous day because we have received more mercies. Even of temporal favors, we have been large partakers. Begin with these and then rise higher. Some of you dear brethren and sisters may well be reminded of the great temporal mercies which have been lavished upon you. [10:42:52]

But ought we not to praise God more and more when we think of our spiritual mercies? What favors have we received of this higher sort? Ten years ago, you were bound to praise God for the covenant mercies you had even then enjoyed, but now how many more have been bestowed upon you, and how many cheerings amid darkness, how many answers to prayer? [14:38:48]

It should never be forgotten that every Christian, as he grows in grace, should have a loftier idea of God. Our highest conception of God falls infinitely short of his glory, but an advanced Christian enjoys a far clearer view of what God is than he had at the first. Now the greatness of God is ever acclaimed for praise. [16:26:39]

We are getting nearer to the place where we hope to praise him world without end, after a perfect sort. Never have we made these walls ring more joyously than when we have united in singing of our Father's house on high and the tents pitched a day's march near a home. Heaven is indeed the only home of our souls. [18:26:08]

We ought to be more earnest in the praise of God because God's enemies are very earnest in laboring to dishonor him. There are times when scoffers are boundlessly impudent. Did it not make your blood chill when you heard revolutionists in unhappy Paris talk of having demolished God? It struck me as almost a saddest thing. [20:39:39]

If you are debarred for a little time from the public service of God, you pant for the assemblies of God's house and envy the swallows that build their nests beneath the eaves. If you are unable to accomplish service which you were accustomed to perform for Christ's church, the hours dragged very wearily along. [22:55:36]

Let us in the spirit's strength drive away that which hinders us from praising God more and more. One of the deadliest things is dreaminess, sleepiness. A Christian readily falls into this state. I notice it even in the public congregation. Very often the whole service is gone through mechanically. [26:08:88]

We should praise God much more if we threw more of his praise into our common conversation, if we spoke more of him when we are by the way or when we sit in the house. We should praise him more and more if we fulfilled our consecration and obey the precept whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. [40:02:48]

I would that every Christian here would labor to be impressed with the importance of the subject which I have tried to bring before you, and when I say every Christian, I may correct myself and say every person here present. I will yet praise thee more and more. Why some of you present have never praised God at all. [41:31:52]

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Transcript
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