And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13–14, ESV)
Angels Praise
What would Christmas worship be without a rousing rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High? Glo – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – ria in excelsis Deo. Translated: Glory in the highest to God!
It must have been such an amazing sight to see. The angels live in praise to God. We see it in Luke and in many other parts of Scripture where the role of the heavenly host is to offer praise to God.
Humans Praise
But the angels were not the only ones created for the praise of God. You were created to praise. C.S. Lewis writes: “a man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
The picture at the end of Revelation is all God’s people gathered around the throne of God while singing eternal praise to Jesus, the Lamb. Through that praise, we will experience true joy.
Creation Praises
All creation is created for the praise of God. Think about Psalm 19.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, ESV)
When the people were praising Jesus on Palm Sunday, we would again hear the chorus, “Glory in the highest!” (see Luke 2:38) The Pharisees ask Jesus to make the people stop. But Jesus replies:
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40, ESV)
Whether it is angels, humans, stars, or stones – everything is created to praise and give glory to God in the highest. Consider the words of the Common Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above you heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
In other words: Everything praise him!
Praise him with your voice! Praise him with instruments! Praise him with your prayers! Praise him through your work! Praise him when you speak about him to others. Praise him with your life!
Why Praise Him?
The simple answer is we praise God because of who he is. We praise God because of what he has done. We praise him because he is worthy of praise. But keep in mind we don’t praise God because he needs our praises. We praise him because we need to praise him.
St. Augustine says, “what we love is what we are.” In other words, what we praise tells a lot about us. It speaks to our aim and our purpose. Every moment of your life is lived in praise. The question is not if you praise. The question is what you praise.
There is no higher aim in life than God. If our ultimate praise is not directed to God, we will praise something far less satisfying. Sin is praise out of order. It is to praise something less, thinking it can give us more. It is to misidentify what will bring us true and lasting joy.
Praising God orders our lives. It points us back to the one that is worth praising. It liberates us from the bondage of less. If we are to experience greater things, we look to the greatest one!
Glory to God in the highest!
Questions for Reflection
- What does it look like to live your life in praise to God?
- How does praise help order your life?
- What are additional benefits of praising God?
- Share your comments.
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