Our Praise and God's Presence: They Go Together

Happy Friday, everybody!

I was looking through the story of Balaam this morning, and as I read it from the Message, I noticed something really cool. Look specifically at the last two lines (v 21).

Numbers 23:17-21 (The Message) - Balaam returned and found him stationed beside his Whole-Burnt-Offering and the nobles of Moab with him. Balak said to him, "What did God say?" Then Balaam spoke his message-oracle:

On your feet, Balak. Listen,
listen carefully son of Zippor:

God is not man, one given to lies,
and not a son of man changing his mind.

Does he speak and not do what he says?
Does he promise and not come through?

I was brought here to bless;
and now he's blessed—how can I change that?

He has no bone to pick with Jacob,
he sees nothing wrong with Israel.

God is with them,
and they're with him, shouting praises to their King.

The Israelites are shouting their praise, and God is with them. Is it any coincidence that praise and God's presence are intertwined?

It's more difficult to see this same message in the KJV, where it says "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them." But the Message paraphrase really brings out the definite relationship between the praise of God's people and His actual presence!

Here's a little more, from Psalm 22:3 (I'm enclosing both the verse and the footnotes):

Psalm 22:3 (New International Version) - Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.

NIV Footnotes:Psalm 22:3 Or Yet you are holy, / enthroned on the praises of Israel

So when believers give God praise, the scriptures indicate we actually PREPARE A THRONE FOR HIS PRESENCE.

Here's something to consider: are you feeling far from God's presence right now? If so, then ask yourself the last time you gave Him some top-of-your-lungs PRAISE? Isn't He worth it? Hasn't he done enough for you already, to deserve a "thank you"? Check out Psalm 47:1, below:

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

So invite God's presence back into YOUR life. Give God some "no kidding" PRAISE today. Don't wait until Sunday. Shut yourself up somewhere or go out into a field, lift your face up, and tell God how much He means to YOU. Of course, you can - and probably should - do the same when you get to church too! You could really help that person sitting next to you.

God Bless! See you in church Sunday!

© 2008 Scotty Ward