The Pleasure and Power of Praise

Mark 1:40-45

C S Lewis in his book Reflections on the Psalms said that “I think that we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” In other words, when something brings so much joy to you it is hard to contain it because the greatest part of the enjoyment is sharing the experience with others. Things like a marriage engagement, a good book or movie, winning a ball game, killing that big buck or catching the big bass. When something great has been done the height of the experience is telling someone about it.

This is the way the Leper felt after Jesus touched him and delivered him from his deadly disease. I can imagine what he felt was “Joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8) Jesus said “See that you say nothing to any man: but go your way and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” (vs 44) But as this healed Leper now turns to leave, he couldn’t help but to “Publish it much and blaze abroad the matter.” (vs 45) What had been done within this man had to be shouted abroad because that is the height of the enjoyment, being able to express to others what the Lord has done.

To praise God is one of the most intimate and meaningful experiences that you and I could ever enjoy. To tell someone what God has done for you personally is not only a praise, but also a proclamation, a testimony to God’s great love and kindness to mankind. To try to contain that within, only leaves one unfulfilled, because to share the experience only makes it more real, more satisfying, and most of all, it causes the Holy Spirit to rejoice within us.

In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he touched and healed many, instructing them to tell no one. But after his death and resurrection he commanded his disciples to “Go and preach the Gospel to every creature.” The Leper proclaimed when he was told not to, we fail to proclaim when Jesus has told us to do so. That’s why many Christians today have never fully experienced to pleasure and power of praise.

I want to challenge you today to share your testimony or something that God has done for you. People today need to hear that God is doing great things.The pleasure that you receive from doing it will bring glory and honor to God and will cause you to share in one of the most fulfilling experiences that can be enjoyed on earth.

God bless and I love you all!

Pastor Robby