praise the lord — or else
"They certainly had knowledge of God, yet they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks; they stultified themselves." —Romans 1:21
In creation, the Lord has begun to reveal Himself to us so that we have reason to glorify and thank Him (Rm 1:20ff). However, we can play stupid by playing the role of an atheist or an agnostic. We can pretend to be wise by "speculating to no purpose" (Rm 1:21ff). When we refuse to act on the truth by praising God, we naturally praise something else and fall into idolatry (Rm 1:23). Then the Lord delivers us up to "unclean practices," such as homosexual activity (Rm 1:24-27). "They did not see fit to acknowledge God, so God delivered them up to their own depraved sense to do what is unseemly" (Rm 1:28). If we refuse to acknowledge God, we begin a chain reaction in which we "are filled with every kind of wickedness: maliciousness, greed, ill will, envy, murder, bickering, deceit, craftiness" (Rm 1:29). And this is only the beginning (see Rm 1:30ff).
Therefore, we must acknowledge God and praise Him. If we are ashamed of the gospel (Rm 1:16), Jesus will disown us before His heavenly Father (Mt 10:33). But if we acknowledge Him before men, we will not enter the path of idolatry, defilement, and wickedness, and Jesus will acknowledge us before our heavenly Father (Mt 10:32). Praise the Lord!
Prayer: Father, You are worthy to be praised always. Send the Holy Spirit to fill me with Your praises.
Promise: "Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message." —Ps 19:5
Praise: St. Hedwig was tested with little things, like becoming a duchess, and did greater things for the glory of God.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Effects of Sin on audio AV 81-3 or video V-81.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001