Intellect of P.R.A.I.S.E.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:26-27

Thursday of Holy Week is a reflection on the Last Supper, Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, and a new covenant. As the disciples watched and listened to Christ, the information didn’t quite make sense. They had questions—How can your body be broken and your blood shed for mankind? Why are you serving us when you are the Messiah? Who is this Spirit coming to live within us as part of the new covenant? What do you mean someone will betray you or even deny you three times? Why are you going away? When will you return? How can this be? Why does the world as we know it have to change? Within a short period of time, their grasp of the Savior’s knowledge began to unfold and their intellect began to align with the very words Christ shared and displayed.

The intellect of God is exceedingly great. Psalm 139 describes the Father as an all-knowing Lord. Scripture continually reminds us of His power and wisdom. God is magnificent in all of His ways. It is difficult for our human minds to completely comprehend the vastness of the Almighty nor understand His methods and approaches because they contrast from our human nature. Therefore, we have to rely on His Holy Word and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide. Wisdom and insight come from our faith in the unseen. The marvelous light that fills our heart, mind, and soul is far above anything we can physically see or touch. Knowledge in God produces an awareness of our purpose and who we are. We come to realize that we are created for Him and His glory. Without this discernment, how can we praise Him?

Praise can be accomplished when we become very familiar with what we are adoring. How can we bring worship and honor to something or someone we only know on a minimal scale? What makes it worthy of praise? Could it be a false act and we do it because everyone else does? Or is it a genuine celebration of the most valuable thing in life deserving of honor because of what we know about them? Do we have a deep personal connection establishing meaning for our praise?

I would encourage you my friend to examine your reason for praise. The intellect of it is pinpointing the purpose and intention. Get to know the Father on a higher level. Let Him reveal who He is through your reliance on His Word and the Holy Spirit. Embrace the stretching of your faith and be open to God’s intelligence. It is a sure way to increase your praise and defend your reasons for honoring your #1.