Praise

“It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of His robe filled the Temple. Attending Him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!’ Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:1-4 NLT)

Worship of the Creator, Owner, and Sustainer of the Universe is an awe-inspiring event, one that leaves us with a much more accurate assessment of ourselves. Being humbled by God’s presence enables us to see ourselves, not as we’d hoped we were, but as we actually are.

In the very next verse Isaiah writes: “Then I said, ‘It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’” A natural biproduct of seeing God as He is, is seeing ourselves as we are. The closer we get to the Lord the more He reveals the truth of who we are.

We’re too often afraid of that honesty, not necessarily from God, but about ourselves. We want to believe we’re better than we are, but unless and until we see ourselves as the desperate, lost, lonely, and estranged people that we are, we’ll never allow our hearts and lives to reverberate with praise, adoration, and worship of our King.

Praise, especially in the Old Testament, took the form of singing that exalted God’s qualities, deeds, or attributes. The songs also centered on seeking to exalt His renown, fame, and glory. Since we have Jesus, how much easier and more natural for our lips and lives to exude adoration of our King of kings, and Lord of lords.

What are some ways we can allow our lives to more fully reflect praise for and of our Savior and Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ? We can allow Him to be reflected in our countenance. Often the expression on our faces let’s people think we just lost our best friend, when, in reality, He’s walking with us as closely as the air we breathe.

What if instead of a frown or scowl, we surprised those in our families and friends by always smiling? Might it generate conversation that might lead to an opportunity to praise, exalt, and celebrate our Savior? But as vital as that is, might we be missing an obvious opportunity to reflect Jesus in our praise of others?

Our spouses and children are often at the bottom of the proverbial totem pole to receive our praise and gratitude. We seem afraid if we praise them too much, they might think we’re satisfied with what we may view as their substandard behavior in some area of their lives. But what if we emphasized and praised them in an area of their lives where they’re showing improvement or making strides to improve?

Any of us is glad when someone brags on us, why not be the one who is always bragging about others, rather than the one always waiting and expecting someone to brag on us or bragging about ourselves? Praise for someone is always easy when you love the person about whom you’re bragging and it’s never easier than when we’re bragging about our Savior.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊