When thinking of praise, the first thing that comes to mind is a subject or object of it. At church we often think of songs being a means of praise. There are plenty of earthly topics that might be categorized as praiseworthy or noteworthy. Michael Jordan was the greatest ball player ever; praise given a great champion. A few students in our youth group are valedictorians. Good for them! A small child obeyed a parent when the parent left the room. Good job. These are types of praise that I readily think of or associate with when not thinking of a group of musicians and tech members who perhaps lead a congregation corporately in a church worship service - a ‘praise team.’
Praise generally involves some superlative and either speaking of it or calling positive attention to it through other means. Forgive my prosaic approach, as it is my desire to improve from general thoughts to specific thoughts.
The Bible re-defines for me what is accomplished when we praise the Lord. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
Psalm 22:3 says, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” Reading these verses makes it very clear that praise moves us from God’s gate into His court, and that He is enthroned or residing in our praise! We can honor any other feat and it doesn’t necessarily involve us. When we praise the Lord we are literally moving close to Him. That is one of the best ‘stop and ask directions’ moments I can think of.
God graciously shows us through His Holy Word where He is found. This is a blessed thing, and at once sobering. Hebrews 13:12-16 says, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
We have the great Savior who bought and sanctifies us through His blood. The imagery of the gate, camp, and cost is plain. Our life is not invested for this city that doesn’t last, but the city that is to come. God’s praise is not accomplished cheaply and the power and implication of it is vast! Let our songs of praise be a sweet complement of our life purpose. “Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:22).
Written by Andrew Yancey
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