Praise Me!

          While spending time with God in prayer, I have been hearing Him say, “Praise Me!” Since my days at a church I used to attend in Middletown, Ohio, I have been a radical praiser.  Inspired by other church members, I would shout at the top of my lungs, cry, dance, leap and run around the sanctuary, all to show God my appreciation.

          Once my parents opened their own church almost ten years later, I decided to take my praise up a notch. I had just attended Impact Conference ’96 in Atlanta with other students from Miami University. A Christian event specifically for college students, it was an experience I would soon never forget. I had been in church all my life, but I had never witnessed young adults praise God the way they were at that conference. There was so much excitement and energy in those services, it was contagious! Young men and women were clapping their hands, singing aloud, leaping and even standing on the hotel conference room chairs. It was CRAZY—but in a good way! These young people, who filled the Ballroom at Atlanta Hilton to capacity, were not ashamed to express their love and appreciation for Jesus.

          My experience at the conference made me realize that if we can be overly excited about a football or basketball game, or party “like it’s 1999” at the club, then we can certainly put forth the same effort, if not more, for our Lord and Savior! So, when I returned from Atlanta, I was a different person. Just like the ones joyfully singing, clapping, leaping and standing on chairs at Impact ’96, I too wanted to praise God with all my might, showing Him my gratitude.

           As I spend time alone with God, I hear His voice say, “Praise Me!” There are some things I have been asking God to do in my life, and His response now is “Praise Me!” I appreciate the open dialogue I have with my Father for He tells me what I need to hear, even if it’s not always what I want to hear. I believe that God is about to bless me in a great way, but in the MEANTIME I must praise Him! Why must I praise Him?

          1. God expects my praise.  I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  It is God’s will that I praise Him.  After all, that’s why He created me.  Just like the sun, moon, stars, trees, flowers, birds, and fish (Psalms 148), God wants me to give Him glory!

          2. Praising God revives me spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Psalms 147:1 says, “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” Also Nehemiah 8:10b says, “….the joy of the Lord is your strength.” No matter how I may feel, when I choose to praise God and just spend time with Him, I find myself feeling better.  My praise invites His presence into my atmosphere.

          3. Most importantly, GOD DESERVES MY PRAISE!  I agree with the psalmist in Psalms 115:1. “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” Yes, I may not have everything I want, or even need, but God is still God, and He is worthy of my appreciation! He loves me harder than anyone else can.  He is faithful to me, even during those moments when I’m not being as faithful to Him as I should.

           I’m afraid that with the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes as humans we forget to be grateful. So I encourage you, as I encourage myself, to ALWAYS let God know just how much you appreciate and love Him. The late Gospel singer and songwriter Walter Hawkins was so on point when he used to sing with his choir, “Be grateful because there’s someone else who’s worse off than you.  Be grateful because there’s someone else who’d love to be in your shoes.”