Myopic Praise

"For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods" (1 Chronicles 16:25). Praise may well be the life blood for those who believe in the Lord and trust in Messiah. It is a remarkable way to pull our attention off of ourselves and focus on the very God of creation.  As believers we are often welcomed into a worship service with a set of Worship Songs or Praise Music. I, for one, have a pretty diverse appreciation for the gift of music. I can tap my foot to contemporary compositions or bask in quiet appreciation for the subtle complexity of "Rhapsody in Blue". Drum and Bugle Corps impress me with their sound and precision. While classical music can stir my soul. God has truly blessed us with an amazing variety of music. From Blues to Beethoven, Jazz to Gregorian Chants, Rock to string quartets and don't forget those acapella groups. Harmonies that lift our hearts to another realm.

Over these past few months I have had the opportunity to begin some renovations on our "fixer upper" that the Lord allowed us to purchase last year. Spending most of the time there by myself, I have enjoyed the company of a local Christian radio station. What I have noticed is the consistent focus of the contemporary music they play. I do want it understood that I am not complaining, judging, finding fault or intending to be critical. As I said, I appreciate a broad range of musical talent and expression. However, I have found the music to be remarkably myopic. It is focused upon "me". There are songs of adoration and simple praise and most get to that, however, it seems that God is praised because of what He has done, will do or is doing for the singer. Not much in the way of just praising God for who He is. There are exceptions, but they are the exceptions. I checked out the top Christian Songs for 2017 on line and these titles were among the top ten: "Even If", "I Have This Hope", "Home", "Unfinished", "I Wanna Go Back", "The Cure", "Fearless",.The number one song was "What a Beautiful Name" by Hillsong United, which is pretty much a song of praise. The others have a pretty strong message of what God can or will do for me. I do know there are different lists and they change all the time. My point here is that we are producing a great deal of music that is focused on what God does rather that just on God Himself.

Admittedly, David has lots of Psalms that speak of his journey, failures, pleas for help and feelings of abandonment. However, there are also lots of songs that just praise God for who He Is. A favorite of mine in Psalm 19. I relate to it every time I look up. The heavens really do proclaim the glory of God. One of my most powerful moments in worship was being on the Washington Mall years ago with two million other men singing, "How Great Thou Art". That time of combined voices in praise burned a lasting impression into my soul. Some of the older hymns do that for me.

We all have lives filled with stress, opportunities for anxiety, family and friends with cancer or some other life threatening illness. We have jobs, family responsibilities, bills, repairs, and the wounds that come from caring and betrayal. It can be a challenge to find time to be in God's Word and to pray. Our prayer lists just grow with the needs of others and the needs we carry ourselves. It seems almost unreasonable to "Be still and know that He is God". We relate to the contemporary songs that speak of loneliness and wondering where the Lord is in all of this.  Add to this all the turmoil of the world and we can feel those moments of desperation and confusion. We know He is there and we know we can trust Him, yet finding the words to just give Him praise and thanksgiving can escape us.

Perhaps this is a result of our western culture. To be self-focused. To see ourselves as individuals. Aware of our personal needs and personal relationships. We are centered on a personal salvation and a personal relationship with God. David saw things differently. He did indeed have his Psalms of personal needs, but take a look and see how many include the nation, the people, and Israel as God's chosen ones. Biblical prayer, praise, and petition is more often communal that not. It is about the nation's failures and sins. "We have sinned" is more common that "I have sinned". Praise also centered in the community far beyond the Holy Days. Maybe we feel alone because we isolate ourselves so well.

It is possible that I am just being a bit picky. Songs that seems self-focused are still songs intended to honor our God and Savior. They do serve a purpose and bring encouragement to our hearts. They can relieve that feeling of isolation. They are good for what they are and I do not suggest we toss them away or even stop writing them. But, perhaps a few more songs about just praising God because He is would be worthwhile. God does so much for us and provides so much for us that it is easy to see that aspect of who He is. Our redeemer, protector, provider, deliverer, friend, and confidant and so much more.

We were challenged once, as a student body at Capital Bible Seminary, to take our forty minute chapel time, find a place of solitude, and come to God with thanksgiving and adoration. However, we were not supposed to ask for anything. Not for ourselves, our families, our ministries, or friends. Just spend forty minutes in simple thanksgiving, praise, and adoration to the God who is worthy. It was way harder that you might imagine. Our self-focused lives and tendency to come to God with a list of requests makes extended time in communion with God without it most difficult.

That is my challenge to you. Start small. Let's say Twelve minutes. God seems to like the number twelve. Find a quiet place to come to Almighty God with adoration and no requests.If you find twelve too challenging, God seems to like seven and three as well. In time, perhaps we can work up to that forty number and learn to bask in His glory with nothing to ask but much to adore.