Exalting the Lord
What do you think of when you hear someone talk about "exalting the Lord?" Most of the time I associate that phrase with singing songs of praise to the Lord in a time of worship. However, exalting the Lord is much more than that. In fact, we can sing praises, calling out to Him, and not be exalting the Lord in our lives. (Hosea 11:7)
God is exalted when we put Him first. He is exalted when we honor Him by giving Him our time, talents, and tithes. God is exalted when we do His will, instead of doing our own will. If we are not exalting Him in these ways, our calling out to Him is not heard. Our praise in song is hollow. Our prayers are hindered.
In fact, this is a sign of backsliding from God. Once we were close to the Lord, so we know the words to say. However, we gradually slipped back from Him by turning to our old ways and our own will. We keep praying and praising, but our lives do not exalt Him as king of our lives. This is a serious situation in God's eyes. He knows when we honor Him with our lips, but not with our lives. He can't bless a life that is backslidden from Him. We must return to the close fellowship and obedience we once knew. Then, He sees our sincere worship in word and in deed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 14 and Joel 1-2.
God is exalted when we put Him first. He is exalted when we honor Him by giving Him our time, talents, and tithes. God is exalted when we do His will, instead of doing our own will. If we are not exalting Him in these ways, our calling out to Him is not heard. Our praise in song is hollow. Our prayers are hindered.
In fact, this is a sign of backsliding from God. Once we were close to the Lord, so we know the words to say. However, we gradually slipped back from Him by turning to our old ways and our own will. We keep praying and praising, but our lives do not exalt Him as king of our lives. This is a serious situation in God's eyes. He knows when we honor Him with our lips, but not with our lives. He can't bless a life that is backslidden from Him. We must return to the close fellowship and obedience we once knew. Then, He sees our sincere worship in word and in deed.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 14 and Joel 1-2.