Living with Praise

“I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits, and malcontents praised least. The good critics found something to praise in many imperfect works; the bad ones continually narrowed the list of books we might be allowed to read. The healthy and unaffected man, even if luxuriously brought up and widely experienced in good cookery, could praise a very modest meal: the dyspeptic and the snob found fault with all. Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.”
(C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms)

If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not trustworthy. There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. . . .How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and do not look for the praise that comes from the only God? 

(John 5:44, ISV)

And so they accused Jesus. . .

He gave a simple fact:

“I cannot be my own witness.

Not even to myself.
And yet . . .

there is One
who does testify
in my favor.”

It was true for Jesus,
and because of Jesus
it is true for me.

And here is where his story presses on mine.

Even when someone speaks
in my favor,
it only counts
if it agrees with the truth.

Like John was a brief light
to shine on Jesus,
even these witnesses
only matter
when they support
a weightier
Witness.

The true Witness
gives a will to the worker,
gives a word to the messenger,
and that is his testimony
to his servant.

The true Witness
has a real voice,
uses the Scripture well,
and overcomes death
with life.

But
we refuse.

Rather than accept
God’s love for us
in our hearts,
we accept the praise
of people
as the only real
testimony,
looking for love there.

We leave the Father
who longs to praise us
as his children.

And what child
does not seek
his father’s
praise?

Perhaps this is how
we know who
we belong to—
where we seek our praise.

Are we children of
this world,
trusting passions
as our guides?

Are we children of
the Father of lights,
seeking His praise,
just like our older
brother Jesus?

He is full of praise,
while this world
lives on criticism
and skepticism.

When we seek praise
from the world,
we will only find ourselves
accused.

And why not?

Our systems are mostly run
by the Accuser—
naming worth,
assessing value,
handing out praise
only to take it away.

Jesus is full of the praise
of God
and of us.

He does not let
a smoldering wick
go out.

He does not let
a bruised reed
snap.

Gentle and truthful
is his praise:
water in a dry land,
manna in the desert,
a strong hand to hold us up
when we are going under.

Oh, seek his praise!
Seek his praise!

Then this childhood we live will be full
of wonder and delight,

going hand in hand

and eye to eye

with our Maker.

---

Epiphany Experience

So our year begins.

How many of our resolutions
seek the world’s applause?

How many of our inner promises
are born out of the fear
of rejection and abandonment?

Isn’t this just another way
of seeking the praise of people?

What if we sought out
a kind Father to please?

What if our nature
demands such seeking?

What if our nature
inevitably forms
around such praise?

We need to seek God’s praise
because it is true.
We may also need to seek
God’s praise
because it is formative—
helping us to grow up in love
rather than tearing us down
through lies, distrust,
and empty flattery.

Today, quietly write down
three or four praise-worthy things
about your life—
small or large,
obvious or easily overlooked.

Think about gifts and opportunities
you have received
gratefully and whole-heartedly.

By welcoming God
and his goodness
into your life,
you will find God’s praise.

Live in these things
even as you live
for these things.

---

Prayer

Gentle Father,

Your praise comes
as we live
in your goodness:
the truth of it,
the rightness of it,
and the beauty of it.

Save us from our accusers—
within us and around us—
who wrongly define
what is praise-worthy
and then beat us
over the head with it,
molding us into this world’s
wickedness,
loneliness,
and mockery.

Lord, let your praise
be on our lips:
the praise of you,
the praise that comes from you.

Let it transform us
into the likeness of Jesus,
full of peace, love, and joy.

Amen.

From Praise to Worship

 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

  the name of the Lord is to be praised. (Psalm 113)

As nice as church services can be, as helpful as it is to have a time and place to gather with other Christ-learners, it is a disservice to this passage to think of a constant church service. Church services are potentially very helpful, but they are not life. Unfortunately, they are often places to identify with a certain ideology rather than walk with others with Jesus. Worship is identified as a church service will end up poisoning this text.

The other problem is that God may receive praise, but he is looking for worship. More specifically - he is looking for worshipers. We know mouths praise, but hearts worship. Jesus criticized some who drew near to God with their mouths while their hearts were far from him. This is the problem. How do we draw near with our hearts, worship him in spirit?

This may seem to contradict what was just said, but we can draw near with our mouths. When I was in high school, I could cuss the wallpaper off a wall, espcially at the video game arcade (what is that?). I wanted to stop cussing, so I began with my mouth. I changed the words into something less offensive. Then I began to just cuss on the inside. Then I just would get angry. Then I started dealing with my anger.

What happened? Well, when I cut off the automatic flow of anger that spewed out of my mouth, I became much more aware of its presence inside. I realized I was an angry person. I did not think that was inevitable because of Jesus and his teaching and his life and his words to me. So with his help I began to deal with my anger, my fear, and my distrust of God.

Similarly, in the opposite direction, if a person praises God all day long, and not just in front of other people, he will likely become aware of what is on the inside. Is there worship? Is there gratitude? If not, the praise will ring hollow and empty. Then that person is in a position to change. . . or give up. This is where to grace of God comes in: strength for change, mercy for failure.

Discipline is what you can do with your body to bring about change in your heart and soul. It's good to think about it, but not enough. It's good to talk about it, but not enough. Discipline is the nest where the Holy Spirit can roost in our lives. Without it, our relationship with God remains abstract and distracted. Our hearts end up far from him.

So the Psalmist emphasizes a moral imperative of God's worth and our need: worship and praise. Yet he also is speaking wisdom about how life is best lived. Discpline will destroy your life witht God if it becomes righteousness instead of wisdom. That is the trap of legalism, externalism. Instead of allowing discipline to eat you alive, learn how to be nourished and strengthed by your discipline. Become a Christ-learner more than a Christ-pleaser. He will be pleased with your learning. He will grow you from the inside out.

Festooning Psalm 103

My dear soul,

    praise the Lord, this God!
May we always remember
    what a blessing he is!

You forgive!
You heal!
You redeem!
You crown me!
You satisfy!
I am so satisfied, so full, so energized,
    I could fly!

You see me among the oppressed,
    those wandering like sheep with no shepherd.
I need you to work for my good
    and to make me good.
That is what you showed Moses so long ago
    and what you always show your people.
Yes, that goodness comes from your heart,
    so gentle and kind,
    so hard to get angry
      because you love me do dearly.

Lord, I do not deserve it,

    but you don't accuse or hold a grudge,
    or treat me like I treat others,
      how I treat you.
It's just who you are,
    completely accepting and embracing
    whoever seeks you out,
    throwing out my sins
      never to be seen again,
    treating me like a long-lost son
      so passionate because I am yours,
      so gentle because you could easily blow me away.

I don't  have long here, Lord,
    and I won't really be remembered.
    I'm just like stubble blown from a field.
So I will have to trust your love -
    your never-ending love -
    to keep me around,
    to make things right for my children
      and their children, and on and on,
    to make good your good promises to me,
    to remind me of the joy of doing it your way,
      the right way.

Your good ways are firmly set so near me
    and as far as I'll ever go.
They will always be over and above
    every other plan or rule I can see.

Bless you, my good Lord!
King of angels!
Commander of all forces!
Creator and Owner of the universe!
Bless you!

Oh, bless him, my dear soul,
    who sees even you.