In Psalm 22:3 (KJV) we read “But Thou art Holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
In the NLT, it puts it like this – “You are the Holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
The word inhabits and the word enthroned in no way suggest that God is only present when people are singing praises to Him. What the writer of this Psalm seems to be saying is that God is present and glorified when His people lift His name in honor. It seems that God is pleased when His people lift His name in honor.
This Psalm was written 1,000 years before the cross of our LORD, yet it describes so perfectly the events of that dreadful day. On the cross, Jesus uttered the very cry of the Psalmist found in verse 1, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
The Psalm, in reality, is the cry of David’s soul. He was sorely distressed and feeling far away from the LORD. Maybe you can identify with David. Perhaps today you are going through a very difficult time and the LORD seems distant or far away. Can you bring yourself to a place where you rise above the distresses and you literally delight yourself in the LORD? That’s what David is doing in Psalm 22:3 when he declares “Yet you (LORD) are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
Again and again, throughout the scriptures, we are admonished or encouraged to the ‘sacrifice of praise’ to God. Listen to Hebrews 13:15 NLT … “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name.”
In Psalm 145 we have David saying “I will exalt you, my God King, and praise Your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day, yes, I will praise You forever and ever. Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure His greatness.” (Vs. 1-3)
Maybe you don’t feel like praising God — do it anyway! Reflect on His greatness. In Psalm 148 all of nature is called to worship the LORD. “Praise Him, sun and moon! Praise Him, all you twinkling stars! Praise Him, skies above! Praise Him, vapors high above the clouds.” (vs. 3-4)
The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 challenges us — “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
The Apostle Peter (1:9) reminds us as follows—
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”
As Christians, we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We have been forgiven. We have become spiritually alive. We have been adopted into the family of God. We have been assured of an eternal home in heaven with God when this life is over. Can’t you praise Him for these and many blessings?
In Psalm 96:7-9, we read, “O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. Give the LORD the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His presence. Worship the LORD in all His holy splendor.”
Folks, these admonitions to worship the LORD and give Him the honor He deserves are not simply suggestions. We are commanded to come into His presence with the ‘sacrifice of praise.’ Our worship pleases Him, whether it is as one individual or the corporate body of the church.
The writer in Hebrews 10:24-25 wrote “And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities. Not forsaking nor neglecting to assemble together (as believers), as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging and encouraging) one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Amplified translation).
Let me close this meditation with a word to those of you who have not returned to your place as a part of the Jubilee Fellowship. God loves you. I love you. If you are truly ill, I can understand you wanting to be careful. But are all of you ill? Or are you just afraid? In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul wrote “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” You can watch our services live-streaming, but that is not the same as being present and participating with your brothers and sisters in Christ in the worship of our Great God and Savior and serving Him. Surely, the God who created the heavens and the earth and us in His image is able to protect us as we fellowship with the other members of the body of Christ.
O come let us adore Him.
Pastor Leonard
