Praising God is one of the highest and purest acts in religion. In prayer we act like people; in praise we act like angels. ~ Thomas Watson ~
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer {Ps. 19:14}.
Exclamations of religious ecstasy are totally pointless unless they are the embodiment of insight. When David, who wrote this psalm, praised God, he did it for a specific reason and not by force of habit.
He praised God for His goodness, for saving him from his enemies, for His protection and guidance. When you say, “Praise the Lord!” it must be followed by the question, “What for?” Shouting “Praise the Lord!” or “Hallelujah!” in frenzied excitement is not good enough. These exclamations demand insight into why exactly they are used.
Religious cliches impede our spiritual growth if they are used without a second thought. They create a fixed pattern in our mind and dull our spiritual sensitivity so that we are not receptive to greater truths than we already know. The testimony of many Christians is so stereotyped and repetitive that it is ineffective because it lacks conviction. The Master warns against the use of empty phrases in our prayer life.
Make every effort to express your faith in modern terminology. Reveal your love for your Master in simple words that are easy to understand. It will not only refresh your faith, but also make the Living Christ real to the people around you.
Loving Master, grant me the wisdom to make my faith relevant by using modern and meaningful language. Amen.
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