Things we are invested in excite us. When the local football team comes on the field, we stand and cheer. Our grandson takes his first steps, and we hoot and holler. We have an emotional connection, and our response is spontaneous.
What does our praise say about our connection with our God? Do we stand and cheer when the pastor comes in on Sunday mornings? Do we hoot and holler when a sinner first receives salvation?
In 2 Chronicles we see three examples of how our praise reflects our relationship with God.
Reflection #1: Our praise reflects the power he has entrusted unto us.
Queen Athaliah had destroyed all the royal seed of Judah, taking over the kingdom—except for one, Joash, who was hidden in the Temple. She ruled with total disregard for the tenets of the Lord, and idols were worshipped throughout the land.
She was cast from her position of power by the praises of the people. In 2 Chronicles 23:13 we read where Joash the new king stood in the Temple. The princes stood at his side as the trumpets sounded, and all the people of the land rejoiced. In addition, singers with instruments of music, and those who had been taught to sing praise, lifted their voices in rejoicing to the Lord.
Within hours, Athaliah was removed from the city and killed.
Reflection #2: Our praise reflects the joy he has given us.
160 years passed, and the Temple had been defiled once again. Spiritual revival came to Judah, and worship in the Temple was restored by Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 29:30 tells of the people’s exultation, for we read that the Levites sang praises unto the LORD with the words of David. They voiced their psalms with gladness, as they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord.
When God turns his face to us, we cannot help but lift our voices to him.
Reflection #3: Our praise reflects the dedication he demands from us.
Hezekiah came to power in Judah when he was 25 years old. His father had been evil in the sight of the Lord. One of the first things Hezekiah did was to reorder the kingdom’s priorities and shift adequate funds toward the priests and Levites.
2 Chronicles 31:2 tallies the jobs Hezekiah placed first in the kingdom: the priests and Levites were to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and also to minister and to give thanks. Most importantly, they were to stand at the gates of the Temple and sing praises to the Lord God Most High.
What is wasted to the carnal mind is valuable to the spiritual one.
When we offer heartfelt praise to God, our words and emotions reflect our heartfelt connection to him.
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Code: FD.FGO.E.28.13.vp