Praising God, giving Him glory—it’s optional, right?

It's something we do on Sunday mornings or when we hike up mountains or saunter down a beach at sunset. Praise is the thing you do when you feel especially close to God or grateful for something He's done— like a Thanksgiving family gathering, right?

Yes, but…

Psalm 29:2 says we are to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.” Nothing was mentioned there about our mood or happiness quotient. Nothing to suggest that giving God glory is contingent upon our satisfaction with our circumstances, the weather, or the Almighty Himself. It just says, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name."

Truthfully, many of us have assumed an “optionality” to praise. We do it when we feel like it. And pat ourselves on the back for having done so.

But consider…

• When the library book is due, you'd better bring it back.
• When the rent payment is due, you'd better deliver!
• Term paper due? Best get it done before your grade takes a hit. 

If you've ever forgotten to pay your utility bill or missed a mortgage installment, you know what happens. Your obligation becomes "past due"—and often there's a penalty!

How much more, then, is it incumbent upon us to give God the glory due His name? Come to think of it, how much glory do you suppose is due His name?

• Glory for illuminating our Milky Way galaxy with a hundred billion stars…
• Glory for creating massive mammals (blue whales grow longer than 100 feet and weigh 200 tons!) as well as infinitesimal insects like mites, aphids, and fairy wasps
• Glory for creating human babies who start walking and talking in merely one year
• Glory for sending Jesus, the perfect Son, who lived a perfect life only to die so we could be perfectly forgiven

There is more glory due His name than there are pages to assemble a list.

Glory is due. In fact, I dare say, it’s past due! So, I ask again. Are we giving God that glory—the glory due His name?

What’s keeping us from starting?