Another Look at Praise

<p>At the end of Acts, Paul continues to show that Jesus is the Messiah from Moses and the prophets.  It is the same that Jesus does from the end of Luke while on his way to Emmaus. Let’s look at some of those Scriptures over the coming weeks. Today I would like to look at some prophecies in the Psalms: and why they are so important and valuable to all of us.  As I was reading Reflections on the Psalms by CS Lewis, I was quite taken by his insights into the topic of Praise. </p><p>Why praise? Why is it so important? – Let’s look at it from a non-Christian perspective:</p><p>Many have said to me, why would I want to go to heaven? Sitting around and playing harps all day.</p><p>How we view people who always want to be admired, constantly be assured of their virtue, or intelligence, how good they are at what they do?  We look down at the clouds that meet the demands of dictators and gratify their egos. So, what do we think of a god who demands praise from his followers?</p><p>How are we to equate that with being humble of heart? 50:14,15</p><p>Or it appears as though the Psalmists try and negotiate with God: if you do this for me, then I will do this for you. 54:1,6</p><p>Or the blackmail technique: If you don’t defeat my enemies, then I will go down to Sheol, and who will praise you then? 30:9</p><p>Or why does God demand we praise him? Or encourage others to motivate us to praise him? Does he really need it? Is he like humans, wanting to to be number 1 and all the world to know it? 119</p><p>In all of these negative approaches to Scripture, we fail to see the value and the importance of biblical praise. Let me begin with a couple of my experiences.  When the kids were little, Jan had to stay at home a lot. I traveled to May wonderful and exotic countries. The truth is, I only wanted to be there long enough to finish the work I came to do. I had no interest in sightseeing. Why, because Jan wasn’t there to enjoy it with me.  Now, when we are just the two of us, I have very rarely traveled without her, and when we go