Praise the LORD!

.... For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.  He heals the brokenhearted. And binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars;  Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite  (Psalm 147:1, 3, 4). Praise and worship is much more than singing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. It has to do with being filled with the Spirit (as opposed to wine),  making melody in our hearts to the Lord, giving of thanks for all things and submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-21). It's about being right with God and each other.

I remember visiting some friends years ago, and going to their church. I connected deeply to a lady there, and we worshiped together and it was indeed beautiful (verse 1). The next time I visited largely I believe because of the pastor,  I felt myself being pressured to agree with some overly simplistic theology. It felt like control. We had promised each other this lady and I, that we would record our worship, but it was empty, and I came away grieved.  What I am saying is that the beauty (or not) of our worship, is reflected in the beauty (or not) our walk with God and each other. It is so easy to quench and grieve the Spirit.

Another thought that came to me as I meditated on this Psalm was the title of a bool “Your God is too small” by J.B.  Phillips.  A primary concern of the Hebrews was Jerusalem, and David speaks prophetically of two regathering. But the LORD will perfect that which concerns me (and you Psalm 138:8). We need to see that God is bigger than our problems, well able to heal our broken hearts, no matter what has gone wrong, and that He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).  When we are overwhelmed we need to look to the rock from which we were formed. Our God is the one who spoke,  and starts were flung into space. He is great and awesome and worthy of our praise, and there is nothing that is too hard for Him.

Father, worship is about giving worth to something. If we do not worship You Lord, we will worship someone or something (idolatry), for we were made to worship. True worship, the worship we are talking about, worship in spirit and in truth,  this worship is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.  And in doing it,  we find our hearts healed and the abundant life.  And we find that You are our exceedingly great reward. We praise and bless You this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen