Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name (PS 30.1).
Why does God command us to praise him? Why does Scripture continually exhort us to give thanks, rejoice, and declare God’s goodness, greatness and glory?
Is God the Ultimate Egomaniac? Is he up in heaven bellowing, “Praise Me! Worship Me! I need, I need, I need! Make me feel good about myself! Affirm me! Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
God has no needs. He didn’t create us because he was lonely and forlorn. For eternity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoyed infinite, unmarred, joyous fellowship together. God is completely self-sufficient, and doesn’t need our kudos to complete him.
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (AC 17.24-25)
Then why does our Heavenly Father command us to praise him? Or for that matter, serve him, pray to him, or give money to him? Is he running short on cash?
No. All God commands us to do is for OUR benefit, for our joy and gladness in Him.
When we worship God it completes our delight in him, like cheering for a Santonio Holmes end-zone touchdown reception, or marveling at a stunning sunset or a Victor Wooten bass solo. We must express our delight – it adds to our enjoyment of excellence. That’s how God made us.
So when God commands us to praise him, it’s to enhance our joy and delight in him. God is always out for our joy, always looking to increase our delight and amazement in him.
Even when he directs us to praise him in life’s storms, we mustn’t lean on our own understanding, but trust him and worship him - for his sovereignty, goodness, love and all the good he’s working in us. The situation may not change, but we certainly will, and peace like a river will flood our souls. Joy will eventually bloom like crocuses in the Spring.
photo by Thomas Hawk
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
God is the only Being that could ever in sincerest integrity command others to worship Him. I think the reason we “question” if He is an egomaniac, is because in our sinful minds we know that we could do no such thing in integrity – therefore, we “think” that no other being could as well. But your post is correct, it is only when we become consumed in the pleasure and glory of God that we realize true satisfaction & fulfillment in life. Thank you for the reminder.
Hey Mark,
After reading your post this morning, I read this paragraph in “A Gospel Primer”, by Milton Vincent, p.18. I think it really compliments what you wrote:
“… I realize that if God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son’s life for me, then He must be guided by that same love when he speaks His commandments to me. Viewing God’s commands and prohibitions in this light, I can see them for what they really are: friendly signposts from a heavenly Father who is seeking to love me through each directive, so that I might experience His very fullness forever.”
Thanks for the great post!
This is very good. I have heard John Piper speak about this and at first it was difficult to wrap my mind around. But the more I thought about it and read about it, the more sense it made. God commands us to praise Him and worship only Him- He is a jealous and “selfish” God, and the only One with the right to be. But at the same time- these commands are also for our good, because we are given the privilege of benefiting from praising him. What a gracious God with serve!
Mark,
If we don’t worship Him, we will worship the other gods and idols of our lives, money, career, beauty, importance, sports, etc…
By worshiping Him, it allows us to keep our focus on Him and continue to grow in understanding and wisdom. I want to know Him more, I want to pursue Him, I want to know the more about His grace and love.
Hey Mark!
Great post today! What a great reminder of where our focus needs to be. It is so true that if our focus is on ourselves and our problems or storms, we will sink fast just like Peter when his eyes strayed from Jesus. God is no so consumed with Himself that He needs our worship or our feeble resources to exist, (He’s doing just fine without our help!)
It truly is for our benefit, He is most glorified in us when we are most glorified in Him. He works all things for our good ALL things! As Thomas Watson said it, “Afflictions work for our good, as they are the means of loosening our hearts from the world. When you dig away the earth from the root of a tree, it is to loosen the tree from the earth; so God digs away our earthly comforts to loosen our hearts from the earth.”
P.S.Victor Wooten rocks! as does Marcus Miller and Michael Manring!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
I meant to say in my last post, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him! sorry!
Ron
Hey Mark,
Good insight – it truly would be egotistical for us to desire others to worship us, but God, the most satisfying, beautiful being that exists is right to have us take our joy in him. Thanks for commenting!
Wow Bob,
What a great quote! I love “A Gospel Primer” – it’s such a fresh view of the truth of the gospel. Thanks for mentioning it and quoting it.
Hey Wendy,
Nobody can say it like John Piper. I’m sure all my thoughts on the subject were originally his. Isn’t God good to give us all his commands for our good?
Bob Z,
You’re so right – we’re created to be worshipers – and if we don’t worship God, we’ll surely worship idols of some kind. Thanks for the passion you expressed in your comment.
Hey Ron,
I really like that Thomas Watson quote – fantastic! I’ll have to check out Marcus Miller and Michael Manring! Thanks for your comments!