Passwords

I have a few more thoughts on PRAISE for you to ponder this weekend.  The Psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 100:4:

“I will enter His gates with thanksgiving,

 and into His courts with PRAISE.

 Be thankful to Him,

 And bless His name.”  (NKJV)

If we put it into modern terminology, this verse would be saying that thanksgiving is the “password,” as the Message Bible puts it, which gives us entrance into the front room of the Lord’s house while PRAISE is the ticket that allows us a private audience with Him in His private quarters.  Once there, the Message Bible also encourages us to “Make yourselves at home, talking PRAISE.”  It would seem that PRAISE is the language of the heavenlies!  We know from John’s vision of heaven in Revelation chapter four, that the inhabitants that surround the throne of God offer PRAISE to Him “Day and night” – 24-7! (Revelation 4:8 – NIV)  The psalmist makes it clear that if we want to personally confer with the Lord, then we should be doing the same!

I discovered another interesting concept about PRAISE as I continued to meditate on Psalm 40:3 this morning.  Here David makes the point that it is the Lord who puts the songs of PRAISE into our mouths.  What do you think about that?  The heartfelt, earnest PRAISE that we give unto the Lord is actually initiated by Him and for Him!  That’s what I call teamwork!  As we yield ourselves and in particular our mouths to Him, He gives us the anointed words to say that will permeate the natural hindrances or problems around us and bring us right into the presence of God!

Oh but wait a minute…  When you delve a little deeper into that term “PRAISE” in the Hebrew, we find that it comes from the word that means “to shine or to make a show, to boast or be clamorously foolish.”  (Strong’s H1984)  It looks like it our yielding should not be limited to just what we say, but also to how we act while we are saying it!  Remember King David’s actions in 2 Samuel 6:14, and the disciples in the upper room in Acts 2!  A further definition for the word “PRAISE” is to “celebrate!”  PRAISE is therefore not necessarily a quiet religious practice, but a celebration of thanksgiving, honor and blessings that we offer to our loving, caring and giving heavenly Father.

So with that in mind, I encourage you to ponder these thoughts this weekend, and then take the outlandish step to follow David’s example as he “danced in the Lord’s presence with all his might.”  (2 Samuel 6:14 God’s Word ©)  It was PRAISE that got David there, and PRAISE that kept him in the victory lane throughout his life!  Gee… if it worked for him, then it will work for me and IT WILL WORK FOR YOU!  Have a joyful weekend.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”