My Dear Friend,

Do you know what the greatest praise and worship is in God's eyes? That which gives Him the most pleasure? I believe the Holy Spirit has given us hints as to what it is. May I share them with you?

The greatest praise and worship has never appeared on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform, nor will it ever be found there. Neither will it be experienced in a public auditorium, theatre, stadium, or on the stage of any modern church, large or small, in America or abroad. Why?

It is a private, not a public, thing. It is an intimate outpouring of the soul to God, not a performance to entertain or soothe Christians, although it always blesses us when rendered "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). It is not for human ears, but for God's hearing alone. It is our "sacrifice of praise" rendered to our heavenly Father from our bodily temple on the altar of our lips (Hebrews 13:15).

This perfect praise and wondrous worship arises not from the beautiful, the popular, or the successful, though their praises, when heartfelt, are also dear to God. Rather, it rises from the crushed in spirit, the wronged, the defeated, the bereaved, the abandoned, the slandered, those wrongfully imprisoned, or suffering physical affliction - but who remain steadfastly true to Jesus. When others' praises are silenced by adversity, these fully committed disciples open up their very hearts and souls to minister not for but to the Lord: "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted . . ." (Acts 13:2). Consider these examples:

• At the midnight hour, their rights neglected, their names shamed, their backs ripped and bleeding, their feet painfully twisted and bound in stocks, with the sickening stench of urine and feces all around, in pitch darkness, from a filthy Macedonian prison, Paul and Silas "prayed and sang praises unto God" (Acts 16:25). The highest praises from the most gifted singers in the grandest choruses have never pleased God as much as the simple psalms and spiritual songs that ascended that night from their makeshift "cathedral."

• After wrongful arrest, gag orders and threats from the highest court in the land, and their backs pitilessly lashed for preaching Christ's gospel to the people, the apostles went out "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41). Oh, and one more thing: "Daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42)! And, oh, how Jesus loved it!

Sometimes this highest praise and worship is offered in loud, rousing praises and at other times in sweet, quiet songs of adoration. But always, while worshiping, the worshipers are inwardly whispering, with Job, their sacred determination to not let even the worst adversity move them from their faith, devotion, and service to the Lord: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15).

They are able to do this because they have discovered a great, life-changing truth: circumstances will change, but their Lord and Savior will not! He is immutable - not only unchanging but incapable of change. So, no matter how unfair their treatment, His nature remains fair. No matter how unfaithful people are, He remains faithful. No matter how cruel men and women are, He remains compassionate. However unholy their detractors are, He remains holy. No matter how inattentive people are, He is always present and most attentive, always ready to minister comfort, peace, strength, faith, and courage to His trial-weary, committed worshipers. So, they look beyond their unworthy circumstances and offer thanks, praise, and worship to their worthy Lord.

As a result, they steadily worship Christ through even the worst pain and perplexity. Sometimes even while formerly close family members and Christian friends callously misjudge and condemn them. Their sweet praises rise most often from, not public venues, but private homes, where the only eyes observing them are those that "run to and fro throughout the whole earth" to intervene powerfully for those whose hearts are "perfect" in trust in Him (2 Chronicles 16.9).

This consummate praise and worship is detected by no human ears, but it is easily seen and heard by the ever-present Holy Spirit, and God's watchers, the angels, who then joyfully report it to the Father and Son. It rises not from soaring mountaintop experiences or great prosperity and success but from the very opposite circumstances: the lowest valleys, horrible pits, the deep mire, brutal storms, protracted battles, the dunghills and the ash heaps of painful rejection, long disuse, deep need, baffling losses, and sudden catastrophes. These are our makeshift "cathedrals."

Today Jesus has millions who sing, dance, and wave their flags when everything goes their way and the right people are watching. Much of this is sincere, but shallow. And, ever gracious, Christ receives it. Yet He longs and looks for more. He has few, so few, who maintain true worship in the adverse scenarios and sufferings cited above. When they praise and worship, He pays special attention. Because it is offered from the very depths of human experience and gives Him the very highest joy.

My friend, let this little piece be, not condemning, but convincing. And converting! Let it not be merely a good read to the mind, but also a good medicine for the soul. And very effective! Let it not be merely informational, but inspirational. And transformational!

It is not a criticism, but a call to action; not a plaint, but a plea. Please, my friend, become one of Christ's fervently faithful few, His all-weather worshipers. See your "day of small things" as an opportunity to become a large-hearted worshiper.

Though comparatively few in number, these overcomer worshipers are of great value to God. They are His delight, His jewels, His treasured ones. They win neither notice nor awards from men, yet find the highest approval from Him who "seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:23). Men's eyes overlook them, but God can't take His eyes off them. The church likely will not commend them on earth, but God often commends them in heaven, as He did Job: "Hast thou considered my servant Job? . . . Still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause?" (Job 2:3). And of this there is no doubt: He will highly commend and richly reward them at the Judgment Seat before the Father, the angels, and the saints: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

Here is my parting prayer for you: however cast down you are, I pray you will keep lifting Jesus up! Whatever your woes, may you not let them end or reduce your worship! But may your private praise and worship continue to bless and exalt Him! Daily! Whatever your circumstances, remember His character remains unchanged.

And know this: As you lift Him up, He will lift you up - in spirit, in body, in sweet fellowship with Him, in greater fullness of His Spirit, in insight into His Word, in knowledge of His secrets, in understanding of His will, in discernment of His hand in your circumstances, and in your labors or ministry for His name's and people's sake.

So, today, at this very moment, pursue the greatest praise and worship. Give Jesus the greatest joy!

Pursuing,

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES