Biblical praise is both an entrance into God’s immediate presence and an exit from despair. Scripture is saturated with the theme of praise—it is vitally important and absolutely necessary.
Praise Your Way INTO God’s Presence
We are instructed to “Enter… into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). Admission into His hallowed courts is marked by strong, sincere praise. Praise is the divinely prescribed way to approach God—it is our point of entrance into the sacred place.
Heaven’s courts are now open to believers, and our admission begins with admiration and applause. The sacrificial system is no longer required, but gratitude is never out of date! In every season, God remains worthy of praise.
Job blessed the Lord both when He gave and when He took away. He stands as a shining example of steadfast faith and holy determination under extreme duress. Our earthly journey should be punctuated by praise in all circumstances, for as long as we live. Since God has mightily blessed us, we must bless Him in return. As Spurgeon noted, “As long as we are receivers of mercies, we must be givers of thanks.”
Praise is God’s address—His dwelling place. David said, “The LORD inhabits the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). When we draw near to Him in praise, He draws near to us with His immediate presence. Heaven itself will consist of everlasting praise to the enthroned Lamb. He resides in the midst of unrestrained worship.
Heaven is the grand showcase for God’s Son and His glory. The elders will fall on their knees. The saints will magnify Jesus with energetic singing. It won’t be a soothing harp concert or a collection of quiet lullabies.
John pulls back the curtain to give us a glimpse of this celestial celebration:
“I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:11–12).
God’s people had better learn to feel at home in intense, exuberant worship atmospheres—or else heaven will be a total shock!
In eternity, we will be at home in God’s courts. Yet even now, on this side of heaven, we are privileged to enter His courts with praise.
Praise Your Way OUT Of Despair
When we choose to elevate the Lord through praise, it lifts our spirits as well. Worship is a powerful antidote to depression, anxiety, and despondency. One of the best ways to combat despair is to change our wardrobe—put on the garment of praise. Instead of indulging guilt and grief, try employing what I like to call praise therapy.
I am not recommending a lighthearted, Pollyanna approach to life’s painful seasons, nor am I suggesting a psychological trick or a cheap cosmetic makeover. I am advocating for the truly transforming power of praise.
Through the Spirit’s fullness, Jesus was anointed to preach good tidings, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, free the prisoners, boldly proclaim truth, and comfort those who mourn. He was empowered to give beauty for ashes, replace mourning with joy, and exchange the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise (see Isaiah 61:1–3).
Sometimes we must intentionally choose to exchange our heaviness for praise. It is a volitional act—an act of the will, not the emotions. You do not have to feel like magnifying God in order to praise Him with your lips. In fact, if you wait until you feel like praising the Lord, you may never get around to it! Praise is a choice before it becomes an emotion.
We don’t need an emotional stirring to change our clothing; likewise, we don’t need heavenly goosebumps to step into the arena of praise. Clothing ourselves with praise begins with a simple decision.
When you don’t feel grateful, give thanks anyway. If you lack affection for your spouse, treat them as if you felt it—your emotions will eventually follow your actions. It’s the same with praise: praise intentionally, praise regardless of emotion, praise Him for His greatness, and praise Him with song.
“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD… O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:1–3).
Harold Vaughan
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