Even the Rocks!

“I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:4

Have you ever really looked at the natural world around you? Have you noticed the mountain peaks? Their peaks point upward to God! Look at the trees. Their branches point upward to God! See the flowers? Their blossoms and leaves reach upward to the Lord! Why? I believe they are praising the Lord for He is worthy of worship and praise! He is worthy because He is God!

What Does the Bible Say About Nature’s Worship?

• Isaiah 55:12 states, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
• Luke 19:37-40 records, “As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
• Isaiah 35:1-2 reads, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…”
• Psalm 69:34 confirms that all of God’s creation praises Him. “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.”

Why Should We Praise and Worship God?

• He is our Creator – “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath 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 unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:3-4)
• He commands us to praise Him – “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
• He has unending mercy – “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118:28-29)
• He is great – “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3)
• He provides salvation – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

What Does Praising God Accomplish?

• Praise removes our focus from ourselves, and puts it on God. It’s important to remember that life is not all about us. We were made to worship God and have fellowship with Him.
  • “Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2)
  • “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” (Psalm 48:1)
• Praise keeps us in the right place. We need to remember that God is our Creator. He sustains us; He saves us. We are dependent upon Him. Praise helps us understand that it is God that meets our needs.
  • “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:2-3)
• Praise protects us from the enemy. Satan will do anything he can to destroy our relationship with God. He will do anything to stop us from serving God.
  • “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (II Samuel 22:3-4)
• Praise allows God’s power to be displayed.
  • “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)
• Praise prepares us to approach the throne of God.
  • “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
• Praise elicits God’s blessings.
  • “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3)
• Praise elicits God’s presence in our lives.
  • “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

(from “Praise Him, Praise Him” by Fanny Crosby”

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:6

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When was the last time your prayer to the Lord was only an offering of praise and worship? Perhaps now would be a good time to do just that!