Hi hello, sweet friends! I am so incredibly honored to have the opportunity to share a bit of my heart with you here on the Illustrated Faith blog. Over the past several weeks, I’ve prayed for guidance + clarity as to what to write about, what to share, how to show God off with my words. Every single prayer was answered with one very clear word…. praise.
It’s something we all do. Something we all excel at. Something we can do individually or collectively, alone in the quiet or gathered amongst hundreds of other believers. It’s something that can be shared in a simple moment at a coffee shop with a sister in Christ…. it can even be found in the depths of the overflowing laundry basket in the wash room [it may be hard to find, but it’s there, friend].
The beauty of praise is that it’s never just one thing. And it’s never just one instance. It’s anything that is bringing glory + honor to God. It’s continual, never ending, ongoing forever. I’m so incredibly excited to begin this little mini-series here for us…. “You Will Be Praised” will be our anthem in this small space, as we look at a handful of different ways we can continuously lift up the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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When we think about praise, our very first thoughts drift towards song. Am i right? It’s an amazing thing though, friends! All day long I stream praise+worship music while I stitch together pouches in my upstairs sewing studio. Some moments I find myself humming along quietly & other moments I am so swept up in beautiful emotion that I have to stop everything that I’m doing, close my eyes & lift up my hands. It’s just me & Jesus…. and the dog snoring under the desk.
One of the songs that always brings me right to my knees [I mean this so literally!] is Ever Be by Bethel Music. The bridge lyrics make this proclamation…. “You will be praised, You will be praised / With angels and saints we sing worthy are you Lord.”
I love the picture that is painted for us in Revelation 4:8-11. My heart physically aches for the opportunity to be included in this small host of angels whose sole job + joy is to proclaim the holiness of God. Day after day, night after night, never ceasing to proclaim the goodness of our Savior.
While my human body needs rest + my vocal cords would give out after just a few hours of intended ceaseless praise, God knows my heart & my desire to proclaim…. You Will Be Praised.
What songs or lyrics bring you to that beautifully emotional state, where the world around you quiets & you enter the presence of Jesus? Share with me in the comments, friends!
![bible journaling entry by April Crosier | Gratitude Documented Day 3 | Creativity [Exodus 31:1-6]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDEwMDAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuaWxsdXN0cmF0ZWRmYWl0aC5jb20lMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMTclMkYxMCUyRklNR181NTIzLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMDAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==)
“Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness .. here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You’re my God … ” GREAT POST! Thank you!
Lord of all creation
Of water earth and sky
The heavens are Your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are Holy, Holy
The universe declares Your Majesty
And You are Holy Holy
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your Name by night
Thank you for this wonderful post. I just signed up for notifications and gGod knew I needed it. God is good all the time….
This is my favorite hymn of praise….
Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
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Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
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Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!