"Praise is not only devotion but also testimony, both an exalting of God and a proclamation that seeks to draw others into the worship of God."
-Samuel E. Balentine
For the past few weeks now, I've been reading a book titled The Mission of God's People, by Christopher J. Wright. Earlier this week, I discovered my favorite chapter of the book. It's chapter fourteen, and it focuses on living a life of worship. I want to share with you some of Wright's, as well as my own insights in regards to the true meaning of worship and what it looks like to praise God in full.
To start, I want us to recognize that our lives are an act of worship. Now, I want us to reflect on who we worship. In other words, are the lives that we're living- right here, right now- reflections of
God, or of self?
My dear sisters, no other name is to be
lifted high but His. No other name is worthy of our worship but
that of our Almighty Father. And when we praise Him, we should go all
out. Not just every Sunday when we show up to church, but every day, for
all of our days as He continues to breathe life into our hearts.
Here's the
thing: A song has already been written just for you, and if you tune your ears
to the Composer's voice, you'll hear it; He'll sing it to you. We are to live
our lives out of worship alongside the glorious melody of this beautiful song. Your song.
But it
doesn't end there!
We are
called to sing our songs together. The melodies of our songs are harmonious.
They were written for each of us to
be sung in unison by each of us as we keep our eyes on the Director. God
not only wants the praise of individuals, but also that of His whole orchestra
in unison. Imagine what it would look like to tune the people of God's kingdom
to hear their songs. Imagine what it would sound like to sing our songs together.
We were created for praise.
"...everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made," (Isaiah 43:7, NIV).
"...my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that
they may proclaim my praise," (Isaiah 43:20-21,
NIV).
We were redeemed for praise.
"Praise be to the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the
creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us
for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his
pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in
the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that
he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known
to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he
purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their
fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on
earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according
to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of
his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,
might be for the praise of his glory. And
you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the
promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until
the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory," (Ephesians 1:3-14, NIV).
"Sing
to the Lord a new
song; sing to the Lord,
all the earth. Sing to the Lord,
praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his
glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples,"
(Psalm 96:1-3, NIV).
Our call to worship is an invitation to be passionate, loud,
vigorous and harmonious as we sing in adoration to our King and celebrate His mighty works and supremacy. We must take advantage of all we have and
utilize these things so that we may love louder, live brighter and sing at the top
of our lungs to the world of our sovereign God and King!
Every
aspect of God's creation is directed to praise the Lord. Look at all He has
done and all He is doing. Reflect on what's yet to come. This is why we praise Him. This
is why we live for Him; because He
is the source of life, and He invites
us to be a part of this story; His story.
Sing to the Lord, for He is good.
Ladies, our lives of praise
here on earth give us tiny glimpses of the celebration in Heaven that awaits
us. It's time to tune in to God's voice so that He can sing your song and you
can dance your dance. Welcome Him with praise.
May our hearts sing Your anthem, God. May our words be a sign. We
are here for YOU.
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