PURPOSEFUL PRAISE

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God I will give thanks to You forever” – Psalm 30:12

God did not create as puppets, but to actively engage in PURPOSEFUL PRAISE: “To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God I will give thanks to You forever” (Psa.30:12). There is an “end,” a cause, and purposes to my praising God. I have reasons to praise the Lord. All the glory in and upon my life is for His praise, forever!

Although it is important for praise to be exciting and intense, whether as expressed through vibrant eruptions of shouting, clapping, dancing, jumping, and instrumentalism or through sublime singing of hymns and spiritual songs, it is even more vital that praise be PURPOSEFUL. Throughout Scripture, we are under instructions to praise God consciously, deliberately, intentionally, and purposefully: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps.150:6). Yet we sometimes find it easier to bow before a human monarch or clap our hands before a popular band than before the very Author of Life and Music.

The more illuminated we become on why, when, and how we praise, the easier it is for us to cultivate a life of praise in the everyday ups and downs. Today, we’ll meditate on WHY WE PRAISE – the reasons for and purposes of praise.

God is worthy of praise: because He is the Most High God, “who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth” (Is. 51:13). He is deserving of our praise! During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the disciples began praising God joyfully. When the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the disciples for such display of praise, His response was: “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out” (Lk. 19:40). We must praise our Father-God with our full devotion, because He is worthy, and for the fullness of His love for us.

Praise deepens intimacy with God: Praise not only draws us closer to God, but through our praise, He is drawn closer to us. God “inhabit[s] the praises” of His people (Ps. 22:3). When King Solomon dedicated the temple, the priests gathered together and lifted their voices. As they prepared to offer sacrifices, they praised God profusely, singing and shouting, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” The result: “the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God” (2 Chr.5:13-14). The Glory of God saturates the atmosphere of His Praise!

Praising God blesses us: God wants us to engage in Praise, not only to bring Him glory, but to bring us blessings. Moses exhorted the Israelites to “love the LORD…walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgements, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you…” (Dt. 30:16). Praising God opens us up to more of His blessings. Praising Him enthusiastically for His power and faithfulness quietens our anxiety and drives out depression and other negative emotions. Multidimensional blessings flow via the channel of praise!

Praise is a weapon in spiritual warfare: powerful to dismantle walls and win battles as we contend to extend God’s kingdom into places the enemy hitherto held in bondage. Praise brought down Jericho’s walls. When after being thrown into prison, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns of praise to God, an earthquake was sent to blast open the prison doors. Not only were the two physically released, but the jailer and his entire household were spiritually released and baptized in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16: 25–33).

The ultimate purpose of praise is soul alignment for those saved by the grace of God. It is offering to our Lord and Saviour, not just what He needs, but what He deserves. The Lord knows our praise of Him is what’s best for us. Beloved, praise God consciously, intentionally, and purposefully. This is for His Glory and for your good!