The Praise-Filled LifeSýnishorn

Where God Camps

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Through praise we experience more fully God’s presence, both within us and at work all around us. The Scriptures tell us that God dwells in the praises of His people. He is the holy God “that inhabits the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). The image painted by the psalmist is that God sits down and takes delight in the praises offered to His name. God pitches His tent wherever His name is exalted. He camps out with those who acknowledge, glorify, and desire His presence.

If you are struggling with pain, sickness, or loss and are desperate for a sense of God’s nearness, then start praising His holy name. As my wife and I recoiled at the surgeon’s word cancer, we clung to God in praise of His love, His protection, and His faithfulness. We needed Him to set up camp amid our weakness and fear and suffering. And He did!

The simple fact of God’s presence is this: Wherever God dwells, God rules. He is our authority. When we invite God to dwell in us, He reigns over our hearts. When we invite God to dwell in our marriages and our family relationships, God reigns over those relationships. When we invite God to exert His will and presence in our business, He reigns over our business.

Praise is our foremost means of inviting God to take up His residence with us and to establish His presence, authority, and purpose in every area of our lives. As we praise our Lord, we enjoy the warmest, deepest form of fellowship with our heavenly Father. No matter what you are facing, I encourage you to praise Him now.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making my heart Your home and dwelling within me. Come and reign over my heart, my mind, my relationships, and my work. I hunger and thirst for more communion with You. May my thoughts, words, and actions release the fragrance of Christ to the world. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8).