Psalm 40:3- “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

 How much, how often do you praise God?  For most of us (myself included) it’s not nearly enough.  Part of reason for that I suspect is that we see praise as motivated by good things happening to us, things going well for us, etc.  Certainly it is important that we are grateful and express that.  But praise for God goes beyond that.  It is an important part of our discipleship.

It is clear from Scripture that praise pleases God.  Here are just a few examples:

“For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (I Chron.16:25)
Psalm 33:1- “it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
100:4- “Enter  his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”
The last 5 psalms begin and end with “Praise the Lord.”
150:6- “let everything that has breath praise the LORD.”
I Peter 4:11- “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ”

Praise has a profound effect on us.  It makes God real and triggers joy in my heart.  Few things so rejuvenates us as to praise God.  When the New Testament describes the church it is this way: “We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.”( Phil 1:26 msg)  Does that sound like the church you know?  What about you personally?

Besides that, it does something to those around us.  It makes Jesus attractive.  I’m not talking about some of the mindless examples—slogans, or trite phrases that seem artificial and forced.  From  Charles Wesley’s first hymnbook (1737) this song was sung:

Let every Land their Tongues employ,
And hymns of Triumph sing.
…
Release his Praise with awe profound,
Let Knowledge guide the Song.
Nor mock him with a solemn Sound
Upon a thoughtless Tongue.

Phillipians 1:10-11 reads:

You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. (msg)

It has been said, “God is preparing the whole universe to be an orchestra of praise and adoration to his Son.” (FB Meyer)

I read about the conductor of an orchestra of 500 who missed the piccolo and waited for it.

God is waiting for your voice to join in! Praise the Lord.  Let all that have breath praise God.

Filed under: belief, Dedication, Discipleship, God's glory, The Journey, worship |