And David danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14
What is the ‘praise’ that the Lord loves? Honest? From the heart? Not worried about what other people think or see? Not embarrassed? Not hypocritical or concerned about performance? Not self conscious but wildly passionate? Physically exhausting? Have you ever praised the Lord in this way … with all your might AND heart?
In religious circles that kind of praise of the Lord is almost non-existent. But we see examples of that type of praise all the time. Where? In the stadiums, in the arenas, during the celebration of your winning teams. I’m not meaning the destructive type shown by many fans today but by the absolute elation of joy and happiness that causes people to hug indiscriminately, and shout, and jump, and run because of the sheer excitement of the moment. That’s actually real … praise. Unabashed fervor of elation and joy. No-one cares what anyone looks like or is doing, no one is worried who sees them — it is pure heartfelt exaltation. “And the crowd goes wild!”
Shouldn’t we (followers of Jesus) be the MOST excited and elated and filled with joy?!! That’s what David was doing, as the Presence of his Lord was being brought to his ‘home’. When is the last time you praised God like that? You haven’t ever done that in the Presence of the Lord? Why not? Have you never felt His unabashed joy and love?
I propose we need to ‘cut loose’ more often in His Presence with all out PRAISE! Shouting, jumping, dancing, even screaming at the top of our lungs how much we LOVE Him! Dignified? Not really — this is pure unadulterated excited elation of joy for our King, Savior, and Bridegroom! Have you ever tried that? Are you willing to look foolish in doing so? Do you really care what other people think about your love for Jesus?
We need to lose our inhibitions when it comes to praising Him. Make time to find a space where you can do that. I’ve seen people doing that kind of wild elation in their cars, not caring what anyone else sees or hears. As humans we were made to praise — it’s in our DNA. Now we just need to learn ‘what’ to really praise.
Praise is actually different than worship, but that’s a different lesson.
Today .. find time to REALLY praise Him.
Warning: Some people may not approve of your elation and praise of Jesus. But Jesus LOVES it!