I turned “Kids Sing Praise” on the electronic device. Ellie and I played around the room and then she stopped, held up both arms and said, “Dance.” With joy, I swung her into my arms and we moved throughout the space to the musical beat of praise songs. She relaxed in my arms, nearly falling asleep to worship music flowing over her little body. Eventually, my (Gram’s) arms grew tired, so I set her down and we played more in the room.
Not long after this transition to play, the song, “He is exalted” floated through the air waves. Ellie, stopped, raised her arms and said, “Dance.” This time, I grabbed her tiny hands in mine and together we shuffled our feet, legs, arms, and bodies while I sang the lyrics. When the song concluded, I declared with excitement, “Praising God with you is so much fun, Ellie.” She paused her movement, looked into my eyes and plainly stated, “Yeah” with a toothy smile. Our eyes locked and held.
I find it challenging to describe the sanctity of this holy moment with my granddaughter. Although her vocabulary continues to expand, the language of God engulfed the room. Together we praised the Lord through word, action, and heart. In that moment, absolutely nothing else mattered. Our focus and delight centered on God.
Exalt — To hold someone or something in very high regard; To think or speak of very highly.
This reminds me of Jesus words: “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?” (Matthew 21:16). This reflects Psalm 8:2: “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies.” The praise of children rings pure in the ears of God. I believe whether they speak words or sway to the music, the worship of children is untainted by this world. The enemy flees as children praise God. I believe Ellie’s dancing-praise pleased the Lord. I imagine God breaking into a giant grin as He received Ellie’s exhalation.
How do you exalt the Lord? In what ways do you lift up Jesus? What other people or things in your life vie for exaltation in place of God?
Perhaps like me, there are times you sing along to the radio or follow the lyrics at church; yet they are just words. Do we truly believe what we sing and say about God? Do we honor God and exalt Him as King? Life is full and our minds often swirl. Take a moment to linger in this song of praise, exalting God as King: Click here. If you feel brave, turn on the song and dance, praising Jesus: He is the Lord.
Jesus esteemed children. He even proclaimed that to receive the Kingdom of God, one must be like a child (Mark 10:14-25). Free of guile, pretense, and skepticism children accept Jesus as King and exalt the Lord. They trust, believe, and depend on God wholeheartedly. Children allow their hearts to follow Jesus and praise flows through their veins.
Somewhere along the way, we grow into skeptics, depending upon ourselves, questioning if God really is good. With the dissonance in the world today, uncertainty can arise. Let us return to exalting God as King. Shift your focus from what feels confusing to the certainty of Jesus as Lord.
🎶 He is exalted, the King is exalted on High, I will praise Him, He is exalted forever exalted, And I will praise His name. He is the Lord, Forever His truth shall reign, Heaven and Earth, Rejoice in His holy name, He is exalted, the King is exalted on high! 🎶
This week – – –
Reflect. Consider your relationship with God. Do you hold God in highest regard? Do you question God’s character so endeavor to control circumstances and people? Talk with God about what you notice. Wonder about the “child-like” nature of your faith. In what ways do you depend on the Lord? Jesus focused on the “receiving” element of the kingdom of God. Explore the ways you can receive God’s gifts as opposed to earning or performing for them.
Request. Ask God to give you a heart that praises Him as Lord and King. Begin the morning with a simple prayer: “Be exalted in my life today, O God.” At bedtime, ponder with God the ways you exalted the Lord in your words, attitude, relationships, work, chores, and hobbies: “How were you exalted today, O God?” Linger with the Lord.
Receive. Have you received the kingdom of God, the rule of God in your life? Do you live as one who belongs to Jesus Christ? God loves you. In receiving, you declare dependence upon the sufficiency of God for eternal life. Wonder with God about the impact of receiving His Lordship over your life.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Luke 18:16-17 – But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
John 1:12 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Lacy Finn Borgo Faith Like a Child: Embracing Our Lives as Children of God. Westmont, IL. 2023.
Alan D. Wright. A Childlike Heart: How to Become Great in God’s Kingdom. Colorado Springs, CO. 2006.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Larnelle Harris. Childlike Faith. Click here to watch & listen.
Crossroads Music. Kingdom of God. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
April 11 – LIttleton, CO – Colorado Community Church, Prayer Ministry
April 24-May 3 – Lviv, Ukraine – Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, The Care of Souls. upfmissions.org
May 18-22 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
May 31-June 13 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Summer Camp Staff Training
July 6-10 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
July 13-21 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training, Life Link Rwanda