Most people are familiar with the word, "praise." Dicionary.com defines praise as: 
"The act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation."  Praise can be directed in many places--towards people, activities, attitudes...even towards aspects of nature, and industry; "This is the most reliable car I've ever had!"  

In religious circles, the word praise is a common fixture.  And is used in many ways to describe the "approval, admiration, and laudation" of worshippers towards their object of praise.  Worshipers, it can be said, are those who offer praise.  

The question I'd like us to consider this week is this:
What is the place of praise in my life?

There are multiple ways to answer this question. But at the heart of the matter are three aspects:  1) What do I praise, 2) Why/what for? and 3) When/how often?  ​

​

It's no surprise that the Bible speaks often of praise.  Psalms 96:4 summarizes the Bible's attitude towards praise of The Great I Am: "For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods."  Revelation 4:11 declares similarly: “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”  God our God deserves praise by the very nature of who He is; who He is is inseparable from what He does; God is good; God deserves praise.  Throughout Scripture, Yahweh God is shown to be the One who alone deserves praise.  

​

But to return to our question: What is the place of His praise in your life?  In heaven, we're told, praise is offered continuously.  
Out from the throne came flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who [f]is to come.”

And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created (Revelation 4:5-11).

​

Every week, at the close of service, we pray the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, as recorded in Matthew and Luke's Gospels. It should be recognized that its first several statements regard the person and station of God.

 "Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." 

In total, these words make up half of the "model prayer."  And these should be seen as words of praise. Question: do words of praise, recognizing the person and work of God make up half of your prayer life?  I do not ask to cast doubt, but to help us answer the bigger question I asked earlier: What is the place of praise in your life?  God deserves praise.  Praise is a constant in heaven.  Jesus teaches us to pray that God's kingdom come, His will be done...on earth as it is in heaven.  The model prayer conveys more than just the correct words and concepts; this it does to demonstrate the appropriate relationship between God and man.  And by appropriate, I mean all things right...and, when dealing with the God who is the very definition of good...I mean the absolute best for us!  

 

If heaven has come down...  If the glory of the Incarnation is embodied in us...  We live before the throne of God and everywhere we place our feet is the place of praise.  

​

Over the next several weeks, we will continue to unpack the topic of praise, and how it relates to our personal, daily walk of faith.  I am praying this path of discussion will bring enriching revelation to your life!

​

Pastor Brett

​

​