For The Praise

If some were asked why they attended church services, their response would be something like, “I go to receive a blessing” and then they very probably sit patiently on the bench until a preacher or someone actively involved in the service can “move” them so that they have received their “blessing.”

It is true that God enjoys “blessing” his people by doing things for them that edify and release them both in their inner man and in their physical man.  However, sufficient Scripture cannot be found that would show that God “blessing” people is why he created them.

In fact, Scripture lays out quite a different scenario.  After a command in Psalm 149 to “Praise the Lord” and to “Sing to the Lord a new song,” there is also the encouragement for Israel (the “blessed” people of God) to “rejoice, be glad, praise, dance, and make music… for the Lord takes delight in his people.”  Paul joins the effort by proclaiming in Ephesians 1:11-12 that “In him we were also chosen.… in order that we…. might be for the praise of his glory.”