Praise...is probably one of the most important weapons in the arsenal God has entrusted to us. In Jack Taylor's book "The Hallelujah Factor", he identifies 230 different reasons why we should praise the Lord. As I've been sitting here reading the list, it immediately compels me, in a profound and irresistable way, to begin singing! The Word of God commands it. But as I consider His greatness [230 reasons to praise], I find that what God issues as a command, suddenly becomes a reflexive joy and privilege, and a theraputic salve to my thirsty, needy inner man.
The Scriptures tell us that praise is where God "lives" (...O Thou that inhabits the praises of Israel). Praise is tangible proof of faith in Our Father and His words to us. The Psalmist says, "...seven times a day will I praise Thee". Another place he says "...praise is comely for the righteous", meaning, it is appropriate "attire" and fitting for those who claim to know God. Still another verse, he declares, "Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts...", literally meaning, prepare a highway for Our God, who moves about to bless those whose heart is properly postured toward Him. In these verses, I seem to hear God saying: "Praise Me, for it is not only the appropriate thing for my children to do, but it is also the quickest way to get Me active in your situation, present, in tangible ways, in your environment and sphere of influence.
God has been teaching me, in recent years, about praise. But you would say, Mitch, you're the praise leader, why would you need to.... Yes, I've studied and sought God on this topic for a long time. But He's showing me that in all things pertaining to Him, there is "much more".
What would happen, if all God's kids at Fellowship, began to seize this glorious endeavor of praise? What would happen, personally, for us who would choose to obey Him with all of our might in this? What would happen in our church? What could an explosion of praise to our God, in the hearts of God's people, do in a community...the world?
This environment would free God to move, be "Himself", move in and settle down ("inhabit") in that "home of praise", that place and people. Isn't that what we want...isn't that what we need...isn't the presence and closeness of God the ultimate and only remedy for the desperate needs of our lives?
Let me encourage you...Praise the Lord, all of you, His saints! And then...get ready!
Selah!
Mitch
