In New Zealand, if you are in distress, danger or other kind of trouble you dial 111. That will give you access to police, fire and ambulance services. Apart from the number to dial—111 here or 911 there—the system is basically the same. State of the art technology makes sure every call is answered, recorded and actioned.

When a residential caller makes an emergency call from a landline, the name and address of the bill payer automatically displays on the operator’s computer screen. Whenever we call out to God, He knows exactly who and where we are. He also knows whether we need police, fire or ambulance service—all of which is part of being the Creator of a state of the art universe.

Psalm 111 is a powerful and amazing reminder of God’s might and love. It tells of His love, compassion, righteousness, holiness, His wonders, trustworthiness and faithfulness. It’s a reminder that we should praise and glorify Him forever, ponder all His works and delight in them. It reminds us of His amazing grace and love, sending His only son to redeem us.

It’s an anthem of praise for who He is, what He has done and will do. It has words like glorious, majestic, gracious, power, steadfast, forever and awesome from start to end. It starts with praise and it finishes with eternal praise.

But before we finish the reading with an “I feel good” attitude, we should pay attention to some invaluable advice: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Just like with an emergency call to 111, if we are not careful, we’ll find ourselves calling again and again, without learning to identify the real issue. I have been there many times in my life. I have praised Him for His faithfulness and compassion but failed to see why I needed rescuing in the first place. Then I had to make an emergency call again. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: all who follow His precepts have good understanding.”

Let us praise the Lord with all our hearts and souls. But let us not forget to follow His precepts. If we follow His commandments, we will not only be honouring and glorifying Him, we will also gain understanding.
This is my desire: to praise, to fear, to follow, to understand—and then to praise again. Forevermore.