God at the Home Run Derby

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first round of Major League Baseball's home run derby on Monday night from New York's Yankke Stadium, setting a new record. During the round, the announcers talked about Hamilton's tatoos and how he wished he had never got them, and had tried to have them removed several times. They said he had got them when he was on drugs a few years back.
I had never heard of Josh Hamilton before Monday, but apparently his story has become fairly well known. After being the top draft pick in 1999, he got on heroine and crack, I believe, shortly thereafter. In 2005, with the help and prayers of his grandmother, he turned back to God and was set free from his addiction. John 8:36 says "He who the Son sets free is free indeed."


Anyhow, back to Monday night. As I'm watching and listening to Hamilton's story, I am realizing that the guy is a Christian and Jesus set him free from his addiction (the announcers had not mentioned that part). As he continues to belt baseballs out of the park, they start talking about how he had had a dream about being interviewed at the home run derby in Yankee Stadium (some time ago, even before it was known that it would be at Yankee Stadium, or that Hamilton would be a part of it).
At this point, I'm sure the guy is a Christian. After the round, before they go to commercial, they interview him. I don't remember what questions they asked him, but his response to maybe 2 of the 3 or 4 questions was "Praise God" or "I thank God". What a stage to be able to give God the glory! Then, after the interview, the announcer throws out some comment like "What a show put on by Josh Hamilton...it's a difficult night to be an atheist, that's for sure!" I had to laugh, it was great. Though he ended up losing in the finals, he was undoubtedly the highlight of the night!
Though this might seem like a rather simple and unspectacular act of praise, it certainly brought me great joy to see God exalt His servant Josh on such a big stage, and Josh exalt his Savior in return!
Praise really is that simple, though. Praise is defined as: 1. expressing admiration, approval, commendation, laudation 2. offering grateful homage 3.to exalt or extol 4. to voice approbation or esteem 5. worship, value
When we give God praise we simply give voice to our the gratitude, admiration, and esteem that we have and feel towards our awesome Creator, especially in the presence of others.
Truly, as the Psalm 147:1 says, "It is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." Congratulations again to Josh Hamilton; may we all simply give God the praise He is due, for who He is and what He has done...Praise the Lord!
Read Josh Hamilton tell his own story of redemption here.