PRAISE GOD WITH UNDERSTANDING 3

PRAISE GOD WITH UNDERSTANDING 3

Text: Matthew 15:8-9
Memory text:
“‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Assuming that you were seated together with other people on a table of six and you were so tired and uninterested in the conversation. Then, someone just walked up to you to whisper to your ear that the man beside you is the son of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, what will be your disposition to the conversation after then? I believe you will immediately become lively as all forms of drowsiness and tiredness will vanish. The understanding of the possibilities and opportunities available to you with that relationship changes your mood instantly and at 180 degrees. Likewise, your disposition during praise is just your reflection of your understanding of the God you are called to praise (Psa 47:7). With this understanding, you will never question Him, doubt Him, or quit Him even when things are working contrary to your expectations or when you can’t get an answer. Rather, you will praise joyfully in the midst of the darkness. That was what Abraham, Daniel, the three Hebrew men, Paul and many of the Bible characters did during their times of great afflictions (Rom 4:18-21; Job 13:15; Rom 8:37). Understanding God as One who is beyond the limits of space and time and the One who is above and above all should stir more joy in you than knowing Elon Musk, Bill Gates or Trump!
To sing praises with understanding is to sing with the heart. To sing with the heart is the opposite of singing with the flesh. It is possible to sing praises and shout but to still do it in the flesh. Straining and sweating during praises don’t necessarily indicate spirituality. They are mere spiritual gymnastics, which are superficial. This kind of praise has no heart connection and, thus, don’t attract God’s blessings. Jesus spoke about this, “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.” ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬).
Just as you have to believe with your heart to be saved and to believe to have what you say, you also need to sing praises with your heart to please God (Rom 10:10; Mark 11:23).
Friends, don’t praise God religiously or as a formality anymore, but praise Him with all your heart and joyfully. May your praises be a sweet aroma to God from now, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, give me a deeper understanding of Your person that will change my attitude to Your praise, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, I refuse to praise God religiously or as formality from now, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. As I believe with the heart to be saved, I also praise God from the heart to be blessed.
2. A fresh understanding of God is what I need to ignite my praise of God.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng