Premeditated Praise

Psalm 100:1 - 4 commands us on what we should do while coming into the presence of the Lord. It tells us to:

1.) Make a joyful noise (v. 1)
2.) Serve the Lord with gladness (v.2)
3.) Sing unto Him (v.2)
4.) Understand who He is and our relationship with Him (v. 3)
5.) Come to church (v. 4)
6.) Come with thanksgiving (v. 4)
7.) Come with Praise (v. 4)
8.) Bless His name (v 4.)

It is imperative to the people of God to begin to begin in the act of "premeditated praise." Every Sunday I am expected to lead the congregation in praise and worship to the Lord while making way for the preached word. This is not always easy depending on the difficulties that life brings. I have learned that no matter what situation I am going through in my life that God deserves my worship and praise. It is also an act of complete trust knowing that He sees my sacrifice and my willingness to fight through anything that is trying to hinder me.

As preachers, lay members don't realize that while we are preaching a word that is helping them to stand, while we are singing a song that is soothing their pain, and while we are praying a prayer to help them make it, many times we put our sorrows on the back burner because we have made up in our minds that we will have "premeditated praise." Suppose most members would come to church with vow of giving more than they expect to take home. Our churches would be on fire. Suppose members came with the fire that Psalm 100 commands. We would no longer have to ask people to "give the Lord a hand..." Stand on your feet..." and shout hallelujah.