Worship: The Highest Praise



Hi, you've reached the fifth part in the article series on worship! If you haven't yet read the first four articles in this series, I suggest you read them first before proceeding with this one. Enjoy!

Worship: More Than Just Singing??

Worship: Bringing Down The Walls

Worship: The Dangers of "Rock" Music

Worship: A Sacrifice of Praise



So you praise God…that’s wonderful! Good for you. But is that enough? How much do you praise Him? How pure is your offering of worship? And here’s the ultimate question: Are you giving God the highest, supreme, unmatchable praise in your life? Or is that honor reserved for someone or something else? Idolatry is a harsh word to use, but it’s not too far off to say that each and every one of us hands out praise to things and people other than God on a regular basis. So we must be particularly aware and extremely careful of who and what receive our praise, and especially where we place our highest praise.

It may never have occurred to you that there are different levels of praise and worship. And you may have never realized the amount of areas in which you freely give out praise. So let me shed some light on the whole subject. When you compliment someone, what are you doing? Praising him or her? Yes, that’s right. When you admire, honor, adore, give special attention to, or proclaim how great and wonderful someone is, you are in a way praising the person. And it works the same way with things as it does with people. But here’s the catch: The praise you give someone for being a good friend is not the same kind that you give to God for saving you from the penalty of your sin, right? The praise you give someone for a job well done at singing that solo in church isn’t the same praise you give to God for His handiwork in creating such a beautiful world. The praise you give your dog for fetching his bone…well, you get the picture.

There are definite levels when it comes to praise. Not only are there levels, but there are also different types of praise that are on the same level. But, you see, there’s just one top level. Only one. Your highest praise cannot be shared, split up, or duplicated. It can only go to one person -- whoever is the most worthy and honored in your life.

Did you know that the word hallelujah is translated as the highest praise to the highest God? The highest praise to the highest God… Think about that for a minute. Is your highest praise going to the highest God? Sure, there are places and times for praise of and to other people and things, but who gets your ultimate praise? Who gets your worship? Someone does; even those who say they don’t worship anyone really do. If you aren’t worshipping God, maybe you’re worshipping a celebrity or sports star, a best friend or role model, a boyfriend/girlfriend or someone else you care about…or maybe you’re worshipping yourself and your own freedom and powers. Complimenting someone, looking up to someone, and being proud of someone are all very different than worshipping someone -- I know. Still, there is a fine line between the examples, and that line is easy to cross if you're not extra careful to keep to the safe side. When you start paying more attention to someone or something other than God, you enter the danger zone of giving your worship -- your highest praise -- to that someone or something of sudden great importance. Don’t do it; don’t compromise your highest praise; it belongs to God.

As I’ve pointed out before, worship is a lifestyle. It’s not what you say or do or sing at the moment, but it’s what you live 24/7. Praising God can’t be something that you do at church and then stop while around your friends or peers. If you live a lifestyle of complete worship before God, you will be giving Him your highest praise. And that’s what it’s all about. He’s the Most High God, so He deserves the highest possible praise and adoration. Don’t give Him 30 minutes of praise time during the worship service at church or youth group, instead give Him your life and live what you say. We all know that talk is cheap without actions to back it up. If you sing lyrics like, “I worship you with lips of adoration” or “I will praise the Lord, no matter what the circumstance or what tomorrow brings,” you have to put actions behind your claims. Do it -- don’t just say you’ll do it -- but actually do it. Give God the highest praise that you can, even when you don’t feel like it. You and I both know that He is worthy of even more glory, honor, and praise than we can give, so don’t hold back what you can give.

It’s really not enough to just give God praise. The praise should be sincere, heartfelt worship that recognizes the worthiness of God and seeks to give Him the very best and highest offering of honor and adoration that’s possible. Highest praise for the highest God; it makes sense, doesn't it? Why should we give Him anything less than what He deserves?

--Written by: Hannah Kelmis



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