Courting God

Date Night. It’s become more stylish since President Obama took office. His much talked about Friday night dates with wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, have inspired many married couples to get giddy again; set aside time to court anew. Rekindle old flames. Oddly enough, date night got me thinking about my relationship with God. Have I set aside time to “court” Him more frequently?

One of the great powers of courtship is that it makes you feel so euphoric. Your partner showers you with constant praise. You speak well of each other and rejoice together. You feel adored and loved. Such assurance re-ignites the fire of affection. It empowers the relationship. It draws a couple closer.

We must also take time to stoke the fire of our passion for God. Lift holy hands in worship and adore Him. Speak well of Him. Rejoice and give thanks with the fruit of your lips because God is worthy. That’s praise. It pleases the Father. It prompts Him to draw closer.

For sure, God dwells in the praises of His People. As Psalm 22:3 puts it, “Thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.”

What’s more, our praise ignites God’s power. More praise, more power is present to ensure our victory in life. Do you feel stuck, discouraged or lonely? Offer up a praise.

In Psalm 100:4 God urges us to, “Come into His gates with thanksgiving, and enter His courts with praise.”

But which court will you enter? It depends on how much you desire to worship, and how much power you want to walk in.

Remember the ancient Hebrew Tabernacle? It was like a roving church while the children of Israel roamed the wilderness for 40 years. This tent-like structure represented the power and presence of God. It consisted of the Outer Court, the Inner Court and the Most Holy Place.

Any Israelite had access to the Outer Court. The more sacred Inner Court called the Holy Place was reserved for the priests. But only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, known as the Holy of Holies. That’s where God’s spirit dwelt.

Jesus’ death and resurrection destroyed this symbolic divide. God, the Son now offers all who accept Christ full access to God, the Father.

Hebrew 4:16 reminds us to now “come boldly to the throne of grace.” Still, some Christians park themselves in the outer court. That’s folks who go to church and just sit in the pews. They get an emotional charge from the music and the message. They worship with their lips. But their hearts are far from God. They have no power to command real victory in life. Their limited exposure to God limits their praise.

Others push closer in to the inner court and draw near to God. Those in the inner court know how to get their praise on. They experience the move of God now and then. They appreciate and even desire a closer walk. They try to live by the Book. But they are not fully committed.

But people running hard after God break though into the “Most Holy Place.” That’s like being on the mountain of transfiguration with Jesus and his inner circle disciples.

You can’t take your praise that close to God and not be transformed by His power, The Holy Spirit.

Praise is powerful because it gets God’s attention and acknowledges who He is. It glorifies God and ushers in our worship. When we draw near to him in praise, the Almighty draws near to us. That’s His promise in James 4:8.

Such access to God’s Most Holy Place requires dying to self, fully surrendering.

When you are that yielded to the Power of God, praise is not just what you do. Praise is who you become.

Such an intimate courtship with God is worth chasing on date night, and every day of the week!

By
Sharon Frame