The Connection Between Praise and Worship
I must admit that I never really understood the relationship between praise and worship. It was only when I totally submitted my will to His—meaning the Holy Spirit—that I learned that the goal of praise is to create an atmosphere for the presence of the Lord God. This is why Abraham, Moses and King David were such close friends of the Lord God! They made room for Him in their lives. He was their priority. It was their deep hunger to know and obey Him that was the foundation of their relationship with Him. I must say this is true for all genuine worshipers. They love to be with the Lord God and He loves to be with them. He shows up because they have an authentic devotion to Him and a passion for Him. Praise and worship are related but very different purpose, activities, and experiences.
Oh, how I love Your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept Your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to Your word. I haven’t turned away from Your regulations, for You have taught me well. How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:97-105 NLT
Praise is initiated by you. Worship is the Lord God’s response to it. Praise is something you do. Worship is something the Lord God releases in you. Praise is you, building a house for the Lord God. Worship is the Lord God inhabiting it. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3
Remember this, worship cannot be generated by you. It is completely dependent on the Lord God. You may seek to enter worship through praise, but it is up to Him whether He will respond to your initiative. This is the Lord God we serve! He knows your intention. To be clear, you can’t worship Him unless you have first praised Him. I know this from personal experience. Now I know what it is to truly praise and worship my King! This is why I am sharing this with you. Of course, the praise must be genuine and focused on Him alone. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to the Pharisees—religious leaders of that time? Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15:7-9 There are many who have been disingenuous with their praise and then wonder why they are not receiving from the King; wondering why their prayers are not answered. Many churches have turned their “praise and worship” into a time of entertainment and time for latecomers to get there, until the pastor preaches. It does not create an atmosphere for the presence of the Lord God.
It seems that everything in God’s Kingdom comes down to “what is your focus?”. What is your motivation and purpose for what you are doing? Why are you praising Him? Who or what is the focus of your faith…your love…your praise? The Lord God doesn’t see your outward appearance, but your heart and your motive. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
It is easy to give a praise that lifts our soul (emotions). True praise and worship may seem tough, but the results are great because everything you need is in the Lord God’s Presence—priceless gifts like peace, joy, rest, mercy, health, provision, protection, power, victory and wisdom. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
If anyone knew how to praise the Lord, it was King David. He certainly wasn’t perfect, but he was “a man after God’s heart” and that is someone that the Lord God can use to do great and mighty things in His Kingdom! And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.
Acts 13:22-23
Hear King David’s heart of praise and remember that the Lord God responds to individuals who have a deep hunger for Him. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him? Psalm 42:1-2 NLT
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your Presence. Psalm 21:6
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your Presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:1-8 NLT
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5
Remember, your faith in the King’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
Oh, how I love Your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept Your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to Your word. I haven’t turned away from Your regulations, for You have taught me well. How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:97-105 NLT
Praise is initiated by you. Worship is the Lord God’s response to it. Praise is something you do. Worship is something the Lord God releases in you. Praise is you, building a house for the Lord God. Worship is the Lord God inhabiting it. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3
Remember this, worship cannot be generated by you. It is completely dependent on the Lord God. You may seek to enter worship through praise, but it is up to Him whether He will respond to your initiative. This is the Lord God we serve! He knows your intention. To be clear, you can’t worship Him unless you have first praised Him. I know this from personal experience. Now I know what it is to truly praise and worship my King! This is why I am sharing this with you. Of course, the praise must be genuine and focused on Him alone. Do you recall what King Jesus stated to the Pharisees—religious leaders of that time? Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15:7-9 There are many who have been disingenuous with their praise and then wonder why they are not receiving from the King; wondering why their prayers are not answered. Many churches have turned their “praise and worship” into a time of entertainment and time for latecomers to get there, until the pastor preaches. It does not create an atmosphere for the presence of the Lord God.
It seems that everything in God’s Kingdom comes down to “what is your focus?”. What is your motivation and purpose for what you are doing? Why are you praising Him? Who or what is the focus of your faith…your love…your praise? The Lord God doesn’t see your outward appearance, but your heart and your motive. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
It is easy to give a praise that lifts our soul (emotions). True praise and worship may seem tough, but the results are great because everything you need is in the Lord God’s Presence—priceless gifts like peace, joy, rest, mercy, health, provision, protection, power, victory and wisdom. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
If anyone knew how to praise the Lord, it was King David. He certainly wasn’t perfect, but he was “a man after God’s heart” and that is someone that the Lord God can use to do great and mighty things in His Kingdom! And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.
Acts 13:22-23
Hear King David’s heart of praise and remember that the Lord God responds to individuals who have a deep hunger for Him. As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him? Psalm 42:1-2 NLT
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your Presence. Psalm 21:6
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your Presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:1-8 NLT
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5
Remember, your faith in the King’s Word is your greatest asset in the Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
