GOD INHABITS THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE
Psalms 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our king, sing praises.
God inhabits the praises of his people. (Psalm 22:3) This morning before our grandchildren got on the school bus, I heard our granddaughter Lauren singing, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. It certainly brought a smile to my face and joy in my heart! I thought, “If this brings me such great joy, think how it must bless the Lord!” and I am sure that he was blessed even more than I was. She wasn’t singing it to impress me or even the Lord, she was singing it because it was in her heart. She became a Christian when she was three years old, and has continued to know and love Jesus even more. She is eight years old now and is much older spiritually than many adults.
Last night I went over to our son’s house to watch some TV with them for a while. Before they went to bed our son had them come with their mommy and myself to hear him read from the Bible. Then he prayed God’s blessing for them and gave them a good night's kiss. Then he added, “Be sure and give mommy and grandpa a hug and kiss too.” Joshua and Angie make a conscious effort to include Jesus in their day and raising their children to have a personal relationship with Jesus. The boy’s are six now and both they and Lauren all can pray a heart felt pray to Jesus as good as most mature Christians. They are full of life and are sure ornery, but even more they are full of Jesus. Jesus is a reality in their life, and not just someone in the Bible.
I am fortunate that I can go to Rock Church outside of Germantown Hills, Illinois. They not only have a great pastoral staff, but the band is tops in my thinking. Not a Sunday goes by but that their music leads me into praise and worship of Jesus. I don’t even think a Sunday has went by that I didn’t raise my hands in praise to the Lord at least once. They lead us in a variety of songs, but all are focused on the goodness of the Lord. They always draw us into the presence of the Lord with praise on our lips and love in our heart. And best of all the Lord always inhabits our worship. His presence is all around us and in us. And no matter what focus the message our Pastor Chuck Tate will bring it always motivates us to praise the Lord. It is no wonder that the Lord blesses his ministry so much.
Praise that God inhabits certainly doesn’t have to come only through singing. I believe whenever and however we praise the Lord, he inhabits it. It is amazing that we don’t do it more. It certainly doesn’t cost us anything, and takes such a short amount of time. It is something a child can do as well as an aged person that can’t remember a scripture verse any more. What is important is that it comes from our heart!
Are you in the practice of praising the Lord? We need to be, because that's what goes on in heaven all the time. The Lord is a Good God, and forever will be. Let’s make a conscious effort and commitment to praise the Lord more.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit and Jesus, we love you and praise your holy name. You are always so good to us, and we know that you always will be. Your love for us is beyond our understanding. We love you so much!
