Esther 9:26-32 (Amplified Bible) 26Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name Pur [lot]. Therefore, because of all that was in this letter and what they had faced in this matter and what had happened to them,     27The Jews ordained and took it upon themselves and their descendants and all who joined them that without fail every year they would keep these two days at the appointed time and as it was written,     28That these days should be remembered (imprinted on their minds) and kept throughout every generation in every family, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never cease from among the Jews, nor the commemoration of them cease among their descendants.     29Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, gave full power [written authority], confirming this second letter about Purim.     30And letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth,     31To confirm that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had commanded [the Jews], and as they had ordained for themselves and for their descendants in the matter of their fasts and their lamenting.     32And the command of Esther confirmed these observances of Purim, and it was written in the book. There was joy and celebration.  God had answered there prayers; God had delivered them from their enemies.  God had answered with much – Pur.  They set aside a day to feast and celebrate every year so that their children – and the world – would know that God had delivered them.  God was to be glorified. God enjoys the sacrifice of praise.  God does not want our hearts to be heavy; He wants us to praise His name. Hebrews 13:15-16 (HCSB) 15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. 16 Don’t neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Jeremiah 33:11 (KJV) 11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. When we praise the Lord, we teach our children and others that God is good; His mercy endures forever.  Jesus came to bring abundant life and a light yoke.  We enjoy these benefits by praising Him.  We confess His name in the House of the Lord, in our homes, in the grocery store, in the department store, in school, at work – everywhere we go our lives are to be a continual sacrifice of praise. Romans 12:1 (KJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Jesus died for us; is it so hard to live for Him?  Paul said it is our reasonable service. We miss the benefits of the Spirit-filled life when we do not practice the principles taught to us in Scripture. Try it!  Praise God!  Praise Him with your whole heart – with your whole life! Psalms 146:1-10 (HCSB) 1 Hallelujah! My soul, praise the Lord. 2 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. 3 Do not trust in nobles, in man, who cannot save. 4 When his breath leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. 5 Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, 7 executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. 8 The Lord opens [the eyes of] the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God [reigns] for all generations. Hallelujah! Say it again and again and again… Psalms 146:1 (NKJV) 1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!