The first question in the Larger and Shorter Catechisms (the way that young people went through Confirmation before pastors realized that we might engage better with the church by climbing steeples and working together at the Soup Kitchen) asks “What is the chief end of humanity?”

The answer that was to be memorized and then recited by Confirmands in response: “Our chief end in life is to enjoy God and glorify God forever.” In short, everything that breathes should use everything at their disposal to give praise and thanks to God.

Psalm 150, the last song in this songbook of ancient Israel, takes up the theme like this:

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
  praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
  praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
  praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
  praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
  praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

As we live our lives enjoying and glorifying God, how do we express our adoration? With trumpet, lute, and harp. If we have them, we can bang our tambourines and clang and clash our cymbals. We need to use what we have to give all that we can in thanks and praise to God.

What have you been given? Think about it. And what have you been given to be used as an instrument of praise? Use it in glorifying and enjoying God.

Prayer

Let me start my day with an inventory of what I have for which to be thankful. And let me end my day in constant praise and thanks to You, the God in whom I trust. Amen.