When I was younger and stronger, sometimes I’d take my wife in my arms and ask, “Why do you love me? Is it because I’m so good looking, or so rich, or because I’m so intelligent.”

She would give me one of those, “Are those the only choices their are?” and say, “I just love you. That’s all.”

So much for massaging my ego.

One day I had this terrible thought, If I ask people to praise me I’m egotistical. But, God commands us to praise Him. He even seeks worshippers (Jn. 4) Is He needy?

Turns out, it wasn’t one of those “Get thee behind me” moments. I think the question came
from the Lord and not the enemy.

Why?

-Praise is more for me than it is for God. Can my puny words add one
iota to His greatness and glory? Praise is just acknowledging reality.
-Praise is beautiful. “For praise from the upright is beautiful.” (Ps.33:1 NKJV)
-Praise belongs to Him. When we praise the universe is in order.
-When we don’t praise, we’re the center of everything. “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (Ps.
18:3, NIV)
-Praise brings us into intimacy with God.
God builds His throne in the midst of our praise. “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” P. 22:3 NKJV”
–Praise is the language of faith and power. When we see Him as He
is; when we praise Him for who and what He is, faith grows. And faith
is one of the three keys. I wonder if there are many people whose lives are marked by faith, whose lives aren’t also marked by praise and worship. David the warrior—Captain Israel, was also David the worshipper.

“Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.
Praise the Lord!”

Psalms 150