What is praise? At church and in the Bible, we’re told to praise God. The dictionary defines praise as: To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for. In order to adore somebody, we obviously must have intimate knowledge of that person.
Praise is a spontaneous response to an intimate knowledge. It comes from an understanding of who God is. Praise is not something we do on cue from the song leader on Sunday morning.
A relationship with God is made the same way a relationship with anybody is made; time spent together. (Jeremiah 29:13) So, how does a person spend time with God? God sent us His Holy Spirit so that we can intimately know the personality of God. But, it takes more than an acknowledgement that the Holy Spirit exists to find intimacy with our Lord.
Schedule time in your day to sit down and talk to God. Just like you would schedule time to talk to your friend, plan time for your Lord. I like to get a cup of coffee and sit down in a quiet place the same way that I would with a friend who has stopped by. Prayer doesn’t have to be eloquent; it can be an ordinary conversation. Tell Him what’s on your mind, what happened at work/school today. What are your plans, hopes and fears?
God’s never too busy to listen to you. There is no part of your life that He isn’t interested in. He created you for relationship with Him. A vital part of relationship is listening. One of the ways that God speaks to us is through His Word; read the Bible like you would read a letter from a friend or loved one.
The Bible has instructions for life, for handling every possible circumstance. As Ecclesiastes says, “there is nothing new under the sun.” Life is life, the scenery and customs change but people have the same human issues today as they did then.
God also speaks into our heart. I Corinthians 2:10-11 says that we know what God thinks through the Holy Spirit, who searches the deep things of God. As you read God’s Word, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the mind of Christ to you. Once you get to know God, not just know about Him, but know Him, you won’t just praise Him—you’ll worship.
Psalms 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (Have you ever noticed that Psalms 14 and Psalms 53 are the same Psalm? Check it out.)
Prayer: Father God, I want to know you. Show me how to arrange my busyness so that time spent with you is included in my daily activities. Speak to me through your word and your Spirit so that I will know the things that please you and the plans that you have for me. Thank you for wanting to spend time with me, for being interested in everything that I do. I love you. Amen.
Scripture references:
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I Corinthians 2:10-11 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.