Imagine that you and your significant other are entering the doors of church and you are told to be nice to a man you are about to meet. It’s briefly explained that this mystery man had been very nice to your family and that you should be thankful for it. Without a chance to ask further questions, you meet this nice man and politely thank him for his kindness which you know nothing about. After the man leaves, your significant other tells you that the man you just met paid off your mortgage in full. What?? Your chin drops. Your eyes get bigger. Your heart starts to race. You just cannot believe the words you are hearing. Without caring what others might think, you run after this man and give him a huge hug. You simply can’t stop thanking him. You tell others around you what this man has done which leads them to also gush over him. You are in awe because this man has paid a debt you could never repay him. You can never be too thankful no matter how many days or years pass. You can never gush over him enough. Every time you are in his presence after this day, you don’t cease to thank him. Every time you meet someone new, you can’t contain the story – you just have to share what this man did for you. What changed in you? Your knowledge of this man changed, and it made you treat him differently.
It’s been said that “Theology leads to Doxology”. Simply said – The more you know Jesus, the more you praise Jesus.
Knowing OF someone and KNOWING someone are 2 different things. Almost everyone KNOWS OF God. Even demons know of God and it makes them tremble. But how many Believers spend time getting to know Jesus on a personal level? It doesn’t matter how many years I have been a follower of Jesus – I STILL discover truths in His Word that stop me in my tracks. Truths that blow my mind. Verses I’ve read my entire life that seemed so blurry will suddenly come into focus.
The more I see how sovereign our God is – the more I praise Him.
The more I get a closer glimpse of how giving He is – the more I praise Him.
The more I meditate on how much He truly sacrificed for us – the more I praise Him.
The more I take a step back and see how He has intricately woven the details of the past, present and future together to accomplish His purpose – the more I praise Him.
Theology truly does lead to Doxology. You just can’t help but praise your Savior when you realize the debt that he took care of on your behalf. A debt that cost Him the comforts of Heaven and rewarded Him with the ridicule of His own people and a brutal, undeserved death on the cross.
When I went to Israel, I stood in the Garden of Gethsemane and realized I could easily see the Eastern Gate from this location. It dawned on me that there was a very good chance that as Jesus was arrested in the Garden, He may have gazed at the spot where He would one day enter Jerusalem as its triumphal King. Mind. Blown. My Jesus could have forsaken the whole plan of salvation for mankind and become the World’s King right then and there if He had chosen to do so. Yet He went on. He took on the pain and suffering that I deserved. He loved me that much. Just this simple discovery from my time in Israel (and so many more) has made me appreciate Jesus more. Knowledge led to appreciation and appreciation led to greater love which led to greater praise.
You don’t need to go to Israel for this to happen (though I strongly encourage it if possible). Spend time in Scripture every single day. Make yourself park on a particular passage and chew on that passage all day long. Then read it again the next day. Truly glean all that you can from it instead of rushing through it like is often our habit. What is this passage teaching you about God’s character? About His plan? About His likes and dislikes?
Let’s be honest. Our love for and praise of Jesus could be so much more. May we take the time to dig deeper into His Word so that He gets the praise and honor that is due His Name.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His Name; worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness.” Psalm 29:2
“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth…O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together.” Psalm 34:1,3
'Just a Mom's' View 
Amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person