Purpose to Praise

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

At the GBC women’s retreat in March, I was given the precious jewel of a really practical way to pray through the Psalms. Since then I have been in the Psalms almost daily, and what a blessing it has been to soak up the Lord’s goodness there! One thing I have realized with great conviction is David’s intentional act of praising God regardless of his circumstances. Whether he is in the valley of despair or on the mountaintop of joy, he determines to praise his King.

Growing up in the church, I have heard 1 Thessalonians 5 many times. I have always known the concept of “rejoicing always.” But only recently has my heart grasped the life-giving implications of purposing to praise.

So what does it mean to purpose to praise? It certainly does ­not mean putting on a cheerful façade even when your heart is breaking. It does not mean disregarding spiritual dry spells like you’re always a Super-Christian. Bottom line: purposing to praise is not a license for pretense. In fact, I would argue pretentious praise is not really praise at all.

Joshua commanded the Israelites to “incline [their hearts] to the Lord God of Israel.” Paul implores the Colossians to “set [their] mind on things that are above.” This is what it means to purpose to praise. Focus your attention on the King! That focus will manifest itself in worship. If I have set my face like a flint towards God…if I am captivated by His goodness -even when I’m in the midst of loss or sorrow or pain, Satan can't distract me with the world or myself. But I'm starting to learn that this is a choice. I have to choose to incline my heart, set my mind…purpose to praise. Let me give you a personal example…

I was lonely and depressed my first weekend back in Manhattan this summer. Many of my best friends were gone, and I kept thinking how miserable the summer was going to be without them. God was like, "Cristi, what happened to all this purposing to praise stuff? You're not even kind of doing it right now." So, by His grace, I confessed my crappy attitude and thought of my reasons to praise God in that situation. The results were blessed –I have not been lonely since. The Lord mercifully helped me to walk in obedience that day, and I have seen the benefits of doing so.

What about when I don’t want to praise God? I have been in seasons where it has seemed impossible to lift up my head to look at God’s face. There was a reason David called our Lord the “lifter of my head.” When I am too weak to reach for Him, He is glorified by my attempt. The attempt becomes an act of praise. Committing my insufficiency to the capable hands of Christ is a way to worship. I know this language may sound ambiguous, but do you see this is still an inclination to God? Think of these two postures: sitting on the back of your heels and bowing with your forehead on the ground. In which position is your head and heart further forward?

I feel like I’m running around all over the place. This was probably too big of a chunk for me to try and break off. Let me just close by outlining a few of the ways David purposes to praise God:

• He remembers God’s faithfulness in times past. (Psalm 106)
• He meditates on truth. (Psalm 119)
• He preaches to himself. (Psalm 43:5)
• He considers creation. (Psalm 8:3)
• He worships in music. (Psalm 150)

This is the short list, but it serves as a good reminder for me…and for also, I hope. Purpose to praise God, brothers and sisters. In joy. In sorrow. In frustration. In persecution. In all things, incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.