I,
like you, am a lover of music. Just listening to music however,
has never been as satisfying as participating in its production.
I know that many of you feel the same way. When we sing or play
an instrument we become “Instruments of Praise.” God
inhabits the praises of His people, says the Bible, and we can
be sure He is pleased when we praise Him. I am so thankful that
the congregation is still included in the song services. If I
had to sit and only listen to other people praising the Lord,
I would not be happy for long. One of the reasons that Christian
Radio is such a blessing is the fact that it allows you to sing
along in the privacy of your home or car.
In my case as
a musician, I have to be in a church that will allow me to play
my Saxophone. I have got to be “Wailing for Jesus” two
or three times a week or I feel deprived. It is a hunger that
is only filled when I play. I don’t necessarily have to be
playing for a crowd of people. If need be, I go out to the barn
behind my house and play for the cows that live in my neighbors
pasture. Sometimes they join me in a chorus and sing along. But
the praise in me that is stored up has to be released. Some of
you reading this know what I’m talking about; the rest probably
think I’ve been playing for the cows too long.
In either case,
hear this; Praise is a personal thing between you and God. I can’t
praise Him for you. I can pray and intercede for you, but only
you can come into His presence with praise and thanksgiving. When
you enter into His courts with praise there is a wonderful thing
that happens; you become one in the Spirit. It is a divine intimacy
that must be experienced personally. Corporate Praise is beautiful
because we praise the Lord individually together. That may sound
like an oxymoron but it isn’t, because even though we are
Praising God individually together He hears us together individually.
He hears the individual
cry of every heart as though it was just the two of you. But He
hears every other heart the same. Imagine what it would be like
to be God and have the ability to hear thousands of voices and
musical instruments praising you and crying out to you with thankful
hearts, and yet know every one of them personally. He delights
in the chorus of praise. God loves us and as we show our love
for Him the flow of blessings break forth like a mighty river
overflowing its banks and covers us with a flood of His peace,
joy and love.
Do
you feel like you are unloved; Praise Him.
Do you feel like
you have lost direction; Praise Him.
Do you feel depressed;
Praise Him.
Do you feel lonely;
Praise Him.
Do you feel anxious;
Praise Him.
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