Praise and worship.
It’s one of the integral parts of any worship service.
We sing God’s glory, we praise His name, we exalt His character, His reputation, His goodness.
Why?
The answer is obvious, isn’t it? Because He IS good, because He loves us, because His mercy endures forever, because He keeps His promises, because He saves us, strengthens us, heals us.
We praise and worship God because He deserves it. He merits it. He’s earned it.
But wait a minute. Is there another reason to give praise to God and honor Him with our worship? What about, we rejoice in the Lord with singing and praise because . . . Because that’s what He does for us!
Hum. Never thought of that one. But do you know what? It’s in the Bible: “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will REJOICE over you with GLADNESS, He will quiet you with His love, He will REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING.” (Zeph 3:17 NKJV)
It’s a new thought, isn’t it? God singing and rejoicing over us?
It’s only natural that we rejoice in Him. He is good. He is mighty to save. He is powerful and strong. But what are we? We are sinners (“For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:24). Our lives are but a breath (“Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” Ps. 39:5). We do no good (“There is none who does good, No, not one.” Ps 14:3 NKJV, See also Ps. 53:3; Rom. 3:12). We have no righteousness (“There is none righteous, no, not one” Rom 3:10 NKJV).
So why would God rejoice in us?
I could guess, but I won’t. The important thing, friends, isn’t “why” God rejoices in us. The important thing is THAT He rejoices in us. Despite who we are. Despite how often we fail Him. Despite how often He must be disappointed in us.
When I think of this, I can’t help but think about my own children. They aren’t perfect children by any means, and there are times when they disappoint me deeply. Yet I love them dearly, I’m proud of them, and I like nothing better than to tell others about how wonderful they are.
Don’t worry. I’ll restrain myself today. The merits of my kids is not the purpose of this devotional. The point is, we are God’s children, and despite our many faults, He loves us, He is proud of us, and He sings our praises!
If He sings our praises despite our sinfulness, our stubbornness and our selfishness, doesn’t that make you want to be less sinful, less stubborn, and less selfish?
It does me!
So next time you sing praises to God, remember, He is also singing our praises!
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will REJOICE over you with GLADNESS, He will quiet you with His love, He will REJOICE over you with SINGING.” (Zeph 3:17 NKJV)
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Author, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets, www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ , Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .