LIFTING GOD HIGH IN PRAISE
WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST 2022
When we lift God high in praise, we are full of exuberant excitement because God is so good and generous to a fault and He lavishes His favour on us without limits. Why must I praise God and lift His name high? After all, He's already highly enthroned and supreme. Personally, I do so because everything God does is right and the trademark on all His works in my life is unconditional love.
Reference: Psalm 47:5 NET Bible (NET) "God has ascended his throne amid loud shouts; the LORD has ascended his throne amid the blaring of ram's horns."
God ascends or goes up to His throne in glory, as His people shout in praise with trumpet blasts. What does this tell us? Now notice what wasn't stated directly in the above Scripture - we are enlightened about the possibility of God's ability to leave His throne for a while. There are so many Scriptures in the Bible claiming that God can arise from His throne at will to accomplish the needful by Himself. For instance, A song of David says, "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered." More so, in Isaiah 33:10 (NIV), God Himself says, 'Now will I arise. "Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up."' The NLT reads, 'But the Lord says, "I will stand up. Now I will show my power and might."' In other words, He rises to demonstrate His power and might and then He's exalted with praise as He ascends the throne afterwards.
God can be lifted high with jubilee, and with the sound of trumpet. When we lift Him high in praise, adoring Him by all His names, we are acknowledging His eternality, recognizing His sovereignty and stretching the greatness of His being into eternity where He dwells, bearing in mind that all of creation and nature is designed to applaud Him.
Praising God is important because in doing so, we honour the God who has the ability and dominion to last forever. God is magnificent and He can never be praised enough. Of course, there are no boundaries to His greatness. He is good to one and all, especially to His own people. Many people before us have composed songs concerning His wonders and have spoken of His beauty and splendour. Generation after generation stands in awe of His marvellous work, each telling the stories of His mighty deeds. Admittedly, when we truly value His marvellous doings in our lives, His praise will remain on our lips at will. Personally, I could actually write a book full of the details of His greatness and faithfulness and make it a headline news.
Beloved the God we serve is all merciful and full of grace. He is never quick to anger, but rich in love. As we form the habit of lifting Him high in praise, the fame of His goodness spreads across our world and in turn, we encounter the touch of His eternality in time realm and His power will garrison our hearts and minds. Even in times of trials, we can stir up or fan the flames of our assurances of His enduring faithfulness in our lives through praise and worship, thereby engaging and admitting His succour and backing in our lives. Got it?
Everything God does in our lives is soaked through with the grace He's given us in Christ Jesus. The Bible says, "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given" (John 1:16 NIV). One of the ways we receive more of God's grace in Christ is by lifting up His Holy name in praise. Sometimes we hear about God's own people who don't feel worthy to approach God because of their limited minds rooted in how they see themselves before God. If you are this way, let me help you to come up hither: Even when you don't feel like it, approaching God through praise changes everything. A passage in the Bible reads, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16 NIV). Now your "praise approach" can do the wonder.
Instead of feeling unworthy, remind the atmosphere around you of God's goodness and power, and lavish the splendour of His eternal kingdom with quality praise on your lips. Talk about the glories of His rule over heaven and earth; remind Him of His kingdom reign which is eternal because He never gets voted out of office or throne. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Psalm 24:11; Isaiah 5:16; Psalm 57:9-11; Psalm 150:1-6.
Guided Prayer: Oh Lord God, King of the saints, great and marvellous are the works of your hands, sweeping from the highest heavens. In your hands are the weapons of all-conquering power; righteous and true are your ways and I open my heart daily, to the wonders of your faithfulness. My existence fits well in your dwelling presence and through constant praise on my lips, I receive the power for fulfilling my daily activities in victory, as your Spirit remains my companion in spending my daily life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!
