born to praise
I was lucky to grow up near an enormous outdoor amphitheater in Noblesville, Indiana, once known only as “Deer Creek.” As the years have passed, corporate sponsorships have changed as rapidly as seasonal Starbucks drinks, and I cannot keep up with Deer Creek’s latest name. For the sake of simplicity and nostalgia, it will forever remain “Deer Creek” in my lexicon. Regardless of naming rights, this venue is home to countless concerts, and as teenagers, we filled our summers by purchasing tickets for every show we could afford.
I have amazing memories of dancing with throngs of people, arms in the air, belting out lyrics. From Steve Miller Band, Jimmy Buffett, and James Taylor to Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and even Kenny Chesney, we sang along to classic rock, grunge, alternative rock, jam bands and a little bit of country. We did not just sing; we threw our bodies into the music. It was an all-encompassing experience of song, rhythm, sound, dance and community. When I look back, I realize that as a collective group of concert-goers, what we were essentially participating in was praise.
As human beings, we are born to praise.
I would argue that we are hard wired to praise.
James 3:7-10 inspired this post. James was the half-brother of Jesus who wrote his letter to the twelve tribes of Israelite believers that were scattered throughout the nations. He said in warning to the early followers of The Way, “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (NIV)
I am convicted by how often I have released the rein on my tongue, and the words of my mouth have hurt someone else, whether an intentional barb aimed at someone I want to obliterate in an argument or a careless word whispered in flippant gossip. I hear James say, Sister, this should not be. The words that come out of my mouth should be as joyful as the songs I sang in jubilee at Deer Creek. How in the world has my hard wiring for praise been usurped by evil?
God created us to praise, to bless, to build up. “Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created” (Ps. 148:5).[1] One of the consequences of the Fall is that this intention was subverted, and if we do not actively steer our words to good, our sinful nature will hijack them for evil. As Paul teaches in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Paul wouldn’t have to teach it if it were not a known struggle.
James proceeds to illustrate the decree that blessing and cursing should not come from the same source with the picture of a spring of water. It cannot possibly pour out both fresh water and salt water. In the same way, a fig tree cannot produce olives, and a grapevine cannot yield figs. (James 3:11-12). How I long for the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be pleasing to God! (Ps. 19:14)
Sometimes it may seem like all is lost to the verbal vomit that escapes our mouths! However, the Lord has provided a blueprint so that we can overcome. Jesus teaches us how to grow in thanksgiving and praise, how to put to death the old ways of sin, including the sinful words we speak. Colossians 3:16-17 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” God’s Word is the blueprint. I am to read it, sit with it, soak in it, counsel and instruct with it. I am to sing it (even with my lack of vocal performance skills!) and to thank God continually for the life he has given me.
To this day, I still enjoy a good concert. But do you know what is even better than a show at Deer Creek? A concert in the House of the Lord. I have never experienced anything like praising God alongside brothers and sisters in Christ. This past weekend we were blessed to join our daughter at her church as we sang these words:
There’s no prison wall you can’t break through,
No mountain you can’t move.
All things are possible.
There’s no broken body you can’t raise,
No soul that you can’t save.
All things are possible.
The darkest night,
You can light it up,
You can light it up,
God of revival.
Let hope arise,
Death is overcome,
You’ve already won,
God of revival.[2]
It was a throng of people. Our arms were in the air. We belted out the lyrics. It was more powerful than any secular gathering could possibly be because our praise was directed toward the Creator of the universe. This was Deer Creek on steroids. We were born to praise.
[1] All Bible references are from the ESV unless otherwise stated.
[2] Bethel Music, God of Revival. Listen here.