Well, it seems hard for me to believe, but I started this little series on "Restoring God's House" back in September, and it's now January. I guess I need to bring this plane in for a landing.
At the same time, it seems providential to me that the subject of praise falls at the beginning of a new year. Happy New Year, by the way!
All too often, as Christians, we celebrate holidays the way everyone else does... by ignoring the fact that they are (if Christian) "holy days". That is, these are days set apart from the norm so that we might focus our attention more fully on the wonder of God and His great mercy towards us. At Christmas, we are to celebrate Christ's coming: His willingness to leave heaven, humble Himself and become a human being (a baby no less), all so that one day He might die for our sins on the cross. How do we respond to this "holy day". We cry against all of the commercialism (to appear spiritual), but we usually are just as absorbed in it as non-believers. We fret more about what gift to by for our hard-to-shop-for relative than we do tremble at our besetting sins. We complain about every radio station playing Christmas Carols... but we spend very little time truly praising Christ for His advent on our behalf.
So, as we step into 2011, praise is a good subject to touch on. Ponder simply this one verse: (Psalm 22:3) "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel."
This verse tells us a lot. It reminds us that God is HOLY. He is different from all His creation. He is pure and hates evil. He is set apart and distinct from all that He has made. He is (truly) awesome, and no one is like Him (Isaiah 46:9). Do you see God that way? Do you treat Him and respond to Him in light of that truth? Jesus said that that should be our first prayer (Matthew 6:9). We should pray that God would be seen and treated as holy. He's not just "the old man upstairs", He's not our "buddy", He is Almighty God... and we should tremble at His name (Psalm 96:9).
The text also says that God enthrones Himself on the praises of His people. It's an interesting thought. It seems as though the Psalmist is telling us that God "takes His place on the throne" as we praise Him. In other words, God the King (in all of His power and authority) comes to us as we praise His holy name. [Don't get me wrong--theologically, God is always on the throne and always in control... but I've learned that my own experience of God's presence and power is often heightened when I choose to praise Him.]
I remember first learning this principle in Bible college. I was prompted by the Spirit--having read Psalm 22:3--one night (after a long day of classes, frustrations, and some relational struggles) to simply turn on some praise music and do nothing EXCEPT praise the Lord. I have to admit the idea seemed lame at the time. What will my singing do?? Especially MY singing--I can't carry a tune in a bucket. But, O, how God surprised me that night. He met me in my dorm room, and He came in His power and might to remind me that He was still on the throne, and that He could do immeasurably more than I could even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). His peace replaced my anxiety. His presence calmed my nerves. His power--which I could sense as I sang--reminded me that nothing is too difficult for Him. Now in one sense, nothing about my circumstances in those moments had changed. I had experienced a lousy day; and singing praises to God didn't undo anything. However, my choice to praise God did make a difference--because God came. He came and manifested His Kingly presence and power to (little old) me. And His visit lifted me. His presence comforted me. He was the reason my facial expression changed that night (Psalm 3:3). The King of kings and the Lord of lords visited me in my dorm room... and He came because I chose to sing praises to His name.
Do you have anything to give thanks for? Any mercy or grace shown to you in the past 12 months? Do you know God well enough to celebrate some of His attributes? Jesus wants to see praise in the hearts of His people... and He has every right to that desire: He has done great things (Psalm 126:3), has He not!? May we, by the power of His Spirit, offer our praise and thanks and adoration to His holy name--both now and forever! AMEN.
