our praises enthrone god

More Wimber on worship ...

Psalms 102:12 exalts God, "But You, oh Lord, sit enthroned forever.”

As we acknowledge the greatness of God and His supreme position over all creation, we become aware of our own limitations. This discovery drives us to worship, as it should.

Williarn Temple says “To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God and to devote the will to the purpose of God.” Can you see how all-encompassing worship is?

It is then that God is enthroned by our praises. The enthroning process is one in which we readily admit that he is God and we are not. Our praises remind us of God's holiness, truth and beauty. We lift up the Lord to his proper place in our lives when we devote ourselves to his leadership and love. This exercise is not merely a church ritual, but a necessary discipline and privilege. We are changed when we worship.

I used to love to sing a little chorus I learned in the church years ago when I was first converted called, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” It beautifully illustrates the power of worshipping the Lord and the impact it will have on our lives.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full into his glorious face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” To see Jesus in his perfection, holiness and beauty takes the air out of ungodly motivations. We can be preoccupied with all kinds of worries, gadgets, relationships and distractions when we come to worship the Lord. But when we get in personal contact with the Author of Life itself, our perspective is renewed.

J. I. Packer says, “Worship in the Bible involves praising him for what He is, thanking him for what He has done, and desiring him to give Himself more glory by further acts of mercy, judgement and power, and trusting in him for our concerns for our own and others’ future well-being.”

Dr. Packer has grasped the true essence of worship. As we interact with God, we will find ourselves more and more satisfied in him and less and less satisfied with the things that have attracted or enticed us.

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