Day 63
Psalm 22:3 amplified version, NIV, KJV
"But you are holy, 0 You who dwell in [the holy place where the praises of Israel [are offered]." (Amplified)
"Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One. You are the praise of Israel"
alternate: "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel" (NIV)
"But thou art holy, 0 thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (KJV)
If a room was filled with personalities and activities that made us uncomfortable, we might stay in a place separate from everyone else. On the other hand, if the circumstances and people made us feel very much at ease, we would make our presence known.
Wherever people are talking positively about us or bragging on us in sincerity, we would know they loved us and would make ourselves "at home" there. The more these people knew us and vice versa, the more free we would be to "fill the room with our presence." Understanding human behavior can help us understand God sometimes. He intends for us to be like Him. Although we are unlike Him in many ways as we strive for that mark, in many instances we can learn about Him as we learn about ourselves. God is everywhere, all the time, but He "makes Himself at home" in places where He is welcome - where they love Him. When we praise God, our attention is on Him, and He responds. The better we know each other, the more relaxed He is in our presence.
He was enthroned, or exalted, in the praises of Israel. They were His people, and when they praised Him, they were acknowledging His greatness and also identifying themselves with Him. There were times when they forsook Him, although Israel was God's people by covenant. They served other gods, and He could not dwell among them then. In other words, He could not manifest His presence among them. When they were not serving other gods but praising Jehovah, they were putting out the 'welcome' sign for Him, and He would "show up."
Praise can reveal our right attitude towards God and cause Him to "hang around us." Praise can say we are confident about who God is and what He means to us. Praise can be our vote of confidence that moves God to act on our behalf.
I will make God feel "at home" with me. He will dwell with me as I praise Him always.