The Bible tells us to “REJOICE” or “BE JOYFUL” 430 times throughout its pages. That’s a pretty big tip. God thought it was SO important for us live out, that He just kept reiterating it in His love letter to us. He even gave us specific ways to do that rejoicing with our very bodies: with singing, clapping, raised hands, and instruments of all kinds. Coming before God with joyful, joyous praise is a big deal to God. And He tells us to celebrate Him in this way because it’s actually a big deal for US. Our joy is nourished through praise and worship.

Praise invites us into God’s presence. It ushers us into the place where joy abounds. As we lift our voices in worship, we rightly align our hearts with His, finding strength and renewal. We are never fully awake to who we were made to be than when we are experiencing who God actually is. And our praise exclaims God’s character. It extols His virtues. It puts us in position to let our world be calibrated to the truth of the Creator of the World.

Praise cultivates joy in our lives. It literally “feeds” it. So how might praising God shift YOUR focus today—away from your circumstances, and toward His goodness and faithfulness? Just as Psalm 100 encourages us to shout for joy and worship God with gladness, let us embrace praise as a pathway to experiencing His joy in every season.