LET NOTHING TAKE YOUR PRAISE AWAY.

LET NOTHING TAKE YOUR PRAISE AWAY. 

Mimi walked into church on a not-so-bright Sunday morning. But she was determined not to let the dull weather make her any duller than she had been feeling all week.

As the Praise and Worship Session began, she dived right into it. And before long, she was dancing and praising God, filled with gratitude for all that He was doing in her life. The Praise team later gave a special number. And she genuinely became overwhelmed with gratitude to God for all He had done and was doing in her life and in her family. Though it was not all in place yet, she had purposed that she would not focus on the things that she was still trusting God to do. She would instead, focus on Jesus, the Lover of her soul.

She suddenly remembered the story in the bible about Mordecai. When, Haman, the enemy of the Jews had got the king to sign a decree against them, Mordecai dressed in sackcloth and sought divine intervention. However, Mordecai would never go into the king’s court in sackcloth and ashes.  When Haman had finished speaking to the king as follows, the news got to Mordecai.

“If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.  But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.” Esther 3:9 & 4:1-2 NIV

As Mimi danced in church that day, all dullness having fully evaporated, she began to understand the Psalm that says: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 NIV

There is nothing redundant in the bible. And the fact that thanksgiving and praise were doubled unto us in the same bible verse is enough to tell us how important they are.  For one they will get us into the presence of the king.

Traditionally in my native Yoruba land, reigning monarchs do not attend funeral ceremonies, no matter who the deceased is. Well, that makes sense. If mourning and sorrowing were not allowed in the kings court in biblical times, I guess one can safely say the Yorubas borrowed a leaf right out of the bible.

Mordecai knew it was a no no to appear at the king’s gate in mourning so he stayed away from the kings gate but not before sending a message to his niece Esther.

You see, Esther, a Jew, just like her uncle Mordecai, was privileged to be in the Persian palace as a queen. After getting Jews to fast and pray for her for three days, she also removed her sackcloth before going into the presence of the king to plead with him to reverse the decree that Haman had initiated against her people, the Jews. “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.” Esther 5:2 NIV

Esther put away her mourning clothes and approached the king, arrayed in her royal robes. She understood that though her mood might have been sad, it would not serve her well to arrive before the king looking the way she felt. She made an effort. She dressed up. She must have anointed  herself. She did not come down cast, mournful and sorrowful to meet the king though such an evil verdict hung over her head. Possibly at some point, especially when the king extended his golden sceptre, her mood changed.

How do we approach the king of kings? How do we come into His presence? Is it with Thanksgiving and praise or is it with mumuring grumbling and complaining? I am not sure it could get worse than having a death sentence hanging over one’s head. But Esther still made the effort to go into the courts of the king without the sadness she must have been feeling at the time written all over her countenance. Perhaps she knew that the king would turn her mourning to dancing.

The truth is we cannot be in an attitude of thanksgiving and be sad and moody all at same time. The two cannot coexist. Thanksgiving mode will lift us out of the gloom and activate a joyful ambience.

We really should be more thankful, more often and not just at church on Sundays.

God dwells in the praises of His people. “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3 ASV

Praise is a mood changer.

Praise is a game changer.

Praise brings God into the situation.

Praise is strength.

Praise is powerful.

Let NOTHING take our praise away.

BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES AND LET HIS PRAISE CONTINUALLY BE IN OUR MOUTHS!!!

OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©