Beginning with Praise!

Ps 65:1-3 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled. O You Who hear prayer, to You all men will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, You atoned for our transgressions.
             
​Ps 66:5, 8,9 16-20 Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf! Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, Who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me.   Read Ps 65 and 66.
             
Seeking God and His love begins with praise and worship. There is a reason our church services begin this way. God’s word tells us He inhabits our praise. He encourages us to enter His courts with praise. He tells us to sing to Him a new song. He rejoices in us and loves to hear our gratitude for all He has done for us. David had his army led by a praise and worship team so that God would know that David wanted God to receive all the honor and glory.
             
He may put us through the refining fires, He may allow us to struggle with the burdens He lays on us, but He walks with us. He rules us justly and with righteousness. He sees our sins and failings but He loves us with an undying love. He sees us, not as we are but as we will be. He allows us to choose our path and guides us if we will listen for His voice. He won’t desert us or reject us if we seek Him.
             
When we begin with praise and worship, we remind ourselves Who we are talking to. We change our focus from our wants and needs to the One Who created us. Beginning with praise to the Holy One of Israel reminds us who we are and Who He is. He has done great and mighty works for us, His anointed ones. We acknowledge His authority and majesty when we bow down and lift Him up.

---