3 minute read
Praise & Worship: The Time is Now
In the Bible, praise is defined as a joyful noise, prayer, singing, dancing, playing instruments, bowing in the presence of God, or any other form of adoration and celebration that is uninhibited in which God commands all creation.
Praise is characterized by honoring and magnifying Him for who He is with the intent to exalt his Holy name.
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Worship is an act of obedience which comes from your heart and your spirit. Worship is an intimate time and moment where believers can have the opportunity to personalize their love and expression to God.
Throughout the book of Psalms, we are constantly commanded to “Praise the Lord”. Psalm 150:1-6 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”
Praise Invites God into our Lives
Psalms 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
The Bible tells us that God abides in the praises of his people. When we praise God, we are simply inviting him into our lives and situations we find too hard to handle ourselves. I get excited knowing that when I have the chance and privilege to praise and honor God’s presence, He arrives on the scene with his greatness and his goodness and mercy flows into every part of my life!
Why We Should Praise and Worship
Praise and worship is our time and opportunity to acknowledge and to thank God for everything He has done in our lives; even praising God in hard times.
Today, we are in the midst of an unprecedented time due to COVID-19. And as a result of this pandemic, our praise and worship should rise from the inside so it would not only bring God to the scene and involve Him in our situation, but it should also redirect our emotions and our focus on who God is.
For He has declared that He never changes, and He also promised us to never to leave or abandon His children. We can count on His presence, even when our world is in turbulent times.
Praising God While Waiting
Psalm 34:1 states, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his Praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
I believe praise and worship is just as important now as ever and should be cherished during this time of “Shelter in Place” when we are unable to meet for corporate worship. There are so many vast resources and various forms of technology that allow us to join together across the globe with the click of a button to give praise and honor to our God.
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
While we wait for this difficult season to pass, the time is NOW to perfect our praise and worship to the true and living King! When we worship, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth knowing that our God is in control. God is seeking for those who will now worship Him through good and bad times. This is the clarion moment where God is responding to His Word. He said “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:31)
Peace and Blessings.
Min. Donnell Phillips
Donnell Phillips is the Minister of Music at Harvest Church as well a best selling gospel artist, musician, and producer.
