it's not about me

Over the last couple days, one of the things that God has been showing me is the need for me to praise and worship Him.  As I started listened closely to the lyrics of many of the Christian/gospel songs that I have, I realized that most of them were songs of encouragement.  They were songs for me, not songs of praise and worship to God.  Although they talked about God's ability and were very uplifting, the edified me rather than simply glorifying God.  

The Bible calls us to edify one another and it is a necessary thing, but you must have balance.  God wants us to praise and worship Him.  My challenge is to be more conscious in praising and worshiping God with the fruit of my lips.  I often find myself becoming self-conscious when it comes to praising God vocally.  I'm far from a singer, but that is no excuse not to bless God with my words.

Years ago God showed me the scripture Isaiah 54:5, which says "For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven's Armies is his name!  He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth."  Today I got new revelation on the first part of that scripture, that He will be my husband.  As a single 29 year old with the desire to be married, I often imagine the interaction that I will have with my future husband.  I sometimes even write letters that I'll give him one day expressing how wonderful of a man he is and how blessed I am to be his wife.  And I don't even know who my husband will be at this point.  I know God, and He has declared that He will be my husband.  We will share that level of intimacy.  So, shouldn't I offer Him the same praise (and more) praise that I have for my future husband?

Psalm 22:3 says "Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel (your people)."  Some translations interchange the words dwell or inhabit for enthroned.  So, if God dwells in the praises of His people.  And if I want God's presence to surround me, praise is the way to make that happen.  Think about it; don't you like hanging out with people that compliment you?  God's no different.  Praising Him draws you into His presence and being in His presence is an experience like nothing else.  I'm setting myself to become a praiser and a worshiper, not for what it can get me, but simply for who He is.