Right Praise!

Right Praise!

Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine ; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 ASV

As I read today's extract, I am forced to go back and check the context in which it was penned. Here was David who had made grand plans to build a befitting temple for God, and had put aside great treasures of silver, gold and bronze, amongst several other things, to build. However, God had other plans; in fact, it can be said that God didn't like the idea of David being the one to build such a temple. The reasons were blood-related, but God assured him that his own son would be the one to build. If it were you and I, certain of our good end and sure of our eternal destination, would the matter of earthly temples still be a major concern?

David didn't allow God's rejection of his plans to stop him from raising more funds and materials. He led by example and gave the best from his house, then spoke to the people, who gave out of their own best too, after seeing David's example. If I will call people to a life of sacrifice, praise and gratitude, is my life a living testament to the message I am trying to preach? If I will lead people's hearts to praise God, is my own heart already totally owned by the same God? It is easy to tell people to spend their lives in the service of God, but it is very difficult to live it out in our own daily and personal living.

No wonder there was a great outpouring of praise to God by David and the people. The basis of acceptable praise is first a clear and precise understanding of who I am asked to praise. If I know I own and hold nothing except what God has given to me; if I know I live, move and exist because of His breath in me; if I know that nothing happens without his approval or permission, then I can offer acceptable praise. There is nothing I can become in life without God's help. There is nothing I can lay hold of if God does not approve and there is nothing on earth that functions and responds to me outside of God's express command.

The words of David's song underline these facts: God sits at the head of the table and all that He has made answers to him. He does not need my validation to be the valid and only viable option. It is man that needs reminding that God is the Lord. Other creatures seem not to have a problem with that. Can I focus again in the right direction? Can I take my eyes off the world and focus it solely on the One who is truly in charge of all things? When I lift up my hands, open my mouth and heart and offer my life as an offering, can it be said that it is the full and complete package of all I am? His time of favour is here.