Psalm 103:1-2 – “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His benefits.”
I got to thinking back to a time when my children were small. One of my favorite memories was coming home after I had been way for a few days and I walk in the door. My children would scream, “Daddy’s home,” and they would literally fly into my arms and hang onto my legs with smiles so joyous as if I were the greatest person in the world. Those were and are some of the best memory moments of my life. I felt so loved and wanted, so special. Every time I think about those little joy-filled faces shouting, “Daddy’s home,” it still brings me a warm and happy feeling. And I think that is what God feels when we come home to Him and bring Him joy-filled worship and praise. He delights in the praises of people. Some see God as a stern, stone-faced, angry, serious God. Not me. I see a God of unbelievable joy and delight who wants to share His joy and delight with you and me. I think creation was an act of joyous generosity on God’s part. God found His life so good and joyous and delightful, He wanted to share it, so He made you and me. Whenever we are praying, praising, singing, and worshipping God, in that moment we are standing in God’s delight. I cannot think of a better place to live than to live in God’s smile of delight and joy.
I got to thinking back to a time when my children were small. One of my favorite memories was coming home after I had been way for a few days and I walk in the door. My children would scream, “Daddy’s home,” and they would literally fly into my arms and hang onto my legs with smiles so joyous as if I were the greatest person in the world. Those were and are some of the best memory moments of my life. I felt so loved and wanted, so special. Every time I think about those little joy-filled faces shouting, “Daddy’s home,” it still brings me a warm and happy feeling. And I think that is what God feels when we come home to Him and bring Him joy-filled worship and praise. He delights in the praises of people. Some see God as a stern, stone-faced, angry, serious God. Not me. I see a God of unbelievable joy and delight who wants to share His joy and delight with you and me. I think creation was an act of joyous generosity on God’s part. God found His life so good and joyous and delightful, He wanted to share it, so He made you and me. Whenever we are praying, praising, singing, and worshipping God, in that moment we are standing in God’s delight. I cannot think of a better place to live than to live in God’s smile of delight and joy.
– Dr. Tim Thompson