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The center of things is considered a treasured place. Celery and artichoke hearts are favored delicacies. Center stage is coveted. The crux of a matter is touted as the most relevant. Seismology explains that the epicenter of an earthquake is the place of the most concentrated power.
I have been pondering the center of my life for some years now. The apostle Paul has been helpful. He said: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). He exhorted: “Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17).
Wanting the reality and not the shadow, I have been longing for the center of my life to truly be him. Desiring to see the flesh killed, my passion is for the center of my life to be Jesus and a response worthy of him. I believe God authors that longing. One day recently he met me in an encounter that defined his longing and my desire. It came through Psalm 117.
This psalm is unassuming. It is the shortest of all Hebrew hymns, boasting a mere two verses. But, its unique claim is that God placed it at the center of his Holy Word. There are 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it. I know, I counted them.
Could it be that these two verses would define the hinge—the central truth—from which all else would turn? I believe it does.
Psalm 117:1-2 says: “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.”
What we should do is defined with the same three words at the beginning and end of the psalm. “Praise the Lord.” Who is supposed to do that? “All the peoples.” Where? “In all nations.” Why? Because “great is his love toward us.” And, “the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” Pretty straightforward!
Recently I visited with a young mother who has cancer. I went to be a blessing to her, but left blessed myself with a confirmation of the truth of Psalm 117. My friend has suffered much and hit bottom with nagging thoughts of “I might not see my boys grow up.” And, “Who will come alongside my husband in his pastorate?” After much anguish, God gave her Psalm 71:14 that says: “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.”
She realized that though her circumstance might motivate praising him less and less, God longed for more and more. She still struggles, but enjoys hope as she and her close friends meet each week to do nothing but praise him.
Isn’t it interesting that in her desperation her hope did not come from a program or another thing to do or yet another discipline to master? It came in a praise response to the worthy One. All else emanates from that center of hope. Jack Hayford states that “praise creates a dwelling place for God in man’s present situation.”
Praise is the proper response to a God whose love is described in the pages of his book. His love is unfailing, eternal, abounding, perfect, unconditional, priceless, wide, long, high, deep, compelling, lavish, unquenchable, quieting, fulfilling, surpassing, patient, and kind. (Deep breath.) And, that’s a meager list of adjectives.
His love expresses his deep passion for us. His faithfulness expresses his continued passion for us. Deuteronomy 7:9 says “Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God. He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” And, further good news, 2 Timothy 2:13 tells us that “if we are faithless, he will remain faithful.”
There are many in scripture who centered on the trustworthy God and praised him—whatever their circumstance. In victory, Moses praised God. In disappointment, Hannah and Elkanah worshiped. In an idolarous culture, Elijah called on the worthy One. In abandoned celebration at the ark’s return, David danced. In battle, Jehoshaphat stationed the singers before the soldiers. In response to the Word, Nehemiah praised the Lord. In his severe losses, Job worshiped. In a time of apostasy, Isaiah responded to God with all his senses alive. In repentance over sinful living, Mary anointed and loved on the One who had loved her first. In a damp prison cell, Paul and Silas sang.
Precedent teaches that no matter what situation we may be in at this holiday season, the center of our lives can be the God who is worthy of our praise.
William Temple’s definition of worship prods us, “Quicken your conscience by the holiness of God. Feed your mind on the truth of God. Purge your imagination by the beauty of God. Open your heart to the love of God. Devote your will to the purpose of God.”
Praise him! He is the center!
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