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God is pleased by constant affirmation?

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I was wondering the other day about how God is pleased by our faith . . . . faith that God is the one true God. It makes me wonder WHY it pleases God to hear, from us, what would be obvious to God already? Why would it please God for us to continually give this affirmation?

In the book of Revelation, we have very strange creatures and very "monotonous" activities. . . :

4:8
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
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So, we have these four "beasts" continually giving praise to God. . . . . . and apparently, whereever this relm is, . . . .they have a star which gives a day and a night. :-? But that's beside the main point of the post.

4:9
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

4:10
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
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So, these 24 elders are constantly standing up (picking up their crown), . . .then falling back down (throwing their crown back down) at the cries of the "4 beasts", while they also give praises to God.

What's with the need for all this affirmation on a continual basis? :-?
 
Orion said:
I was wondering the other day about how God is pleased by our faith . . . . faith that God is the one true God. It makes me wonder WHY it pleases God to hear, from us, what would be obvious to God already? Why would it please God for us to continually give this affirmation?
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It is not just for Him. It is for us. When you are praising God, your mind is stayed on Him. When your mind is on Him ~ it is not on the wind and waves. God inhabits the praises of His people. God knows that if we are praising Him and giving Him thanks, it is because we trust Him, believe Him, and He responds to our magnifying His name. :smt041

Get your mind off of Him, focus on the circumstances, and see if you don't spiral downward. Ignore God for a while, see if the enemy takes advantage of it.

Try it. It the lowest times of your life, in the most difficult of circumstances, give Him praise. You will find your faith building up. You will find giving praise, glory and honor to the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, will drive out demonic attacks the way light drives out darkness.
 
Yes, there MUST be more to this than some narcisistic God who 'gets off' on being praised continually. The OP asks a valid question, however. I've considered this one many times myself.
 
Do you think that God wants praise by those who only praise with their lips and not by their hearts? I doubt it.
 
JM said:
There is a misunderstanding of the epistemological nature of faith.
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What would be the epistemological nature of "faith", . . . . in regards to this topic? Besides, is it even possible to truly have a valid and sure knowledge of something that has no evidence. . . . . matters of "faith"? Faith matters can't be tested, . . . so they tend to become matters of one's own personal suppositions and interpretations.

For the rest of the board. . . . .

If God is "pleased by our expressions of praise", stating things that God should already know, does that mean that our very act of doing so is fulfilling a "lack of being pleased" in God? Thus, a desire that is wanting to be fulfilled?
 
Orion said:
JM said:
If God is "pleased by our expressions of praise", stating things that God should already know, does that mean that our very act of doing so is fulfilling a "lack of being pleased" in God? Thus, a desire that is wanting to be fulfilled?
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It is hard to understand your questions without knowing what inspired them. I am looking for even the slightest bit of common ground here. I am going to try these two questions.

1.) Have you ever been in love with someone that loved you back?
2.) Did they ever tell you that they loved you?
 
Dr. John Gill wrote,

"Faith is not the cause, but an effect of justification; it is not the cause of it in any sense; it is not the moving cause, that is the free grace of God; "Being justified freely by his grace", #Ro 3:24 nor the efficient cause of it; "It is God that justifies", #Ro 8:33 nor the meritorious cause, as some express it; or the matter of it, that is the obedience and blood of Christ, #Ro 5:9,19 or the righteousness of Christ, consisting of his active and passive obedience; nor even the instrumental cause; for, as Mr. Baxter {5} himself argues, "If faith is the instrument of our justification, it is the instrument either of God or man; not of man, for justification is God's act; he is the sole Justifier, #Ro 3:26 man doth not justify himself: nor of God, for it is not God that believes": nor is it a "causa sine qua non", as the case of elect infants shows; it is not in any class of causes whatever; but it is the effect of justification: all men have not faith, and the reason why some do not believe is, because they are none of Christ's sheep; they were not chosen in him, nor justified through him; but justly left in their sins, and so to condemnation; the reason why others believe is, because they are ordained to eternal life, have a justifying righteousness provided for them, and are justified by it, and shall never enter into condemnation: the reason why any are justified, is not because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith, is because they are justified; was there no such blessing of grace as justification of life in Christ, for the sons of men, there would be no such thing as faith in Christ bestowed on them; precious faith is obtained through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, #2Pe 1:1 nor, indeed, would there be any room for it, nor any use of it, if a justifying righteousness was not previously provided. Agreeable to this are the reasonings and assertions of Twisse {6}, Maccovius {7}, and others. Now if faith is not the cause, but the effect of justification; then as every cause is before its effect, and every effect follows its cause, justification must be before faith, and faith must follow justification."

and

"Faith is the evidence and manifestation of justification, and therefore justification must be before it; "Faith is the evidence of things not seen", #Heb 11:1 but it is not the evidence of that which as yet is not; what it is an evidence of, must be, and it must exist before it. The "righteousness of God", of the God-man and mediator Jesus Christ, "is revealed from faith to faith", in the everlasting gospel, #Ro 1:17 and therefore must be before it is revealed, and before faith, to which it is revealed: faith is that grace whereby a soul, having seen its guilt, and its want of righteousness, beholds, in the light of the divine Spirit, a complete righteousness in Christ, renounces its own, lays hold off that, puts it on as a garment, rejoices in it, and glories of it; the Spirit of God witnessing to his spirit, that he is a justified person; and so he is evidently and declaratively "justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God", #1Co 6:11."
 
Gabbylittleangel said:
Orion said:
JM said:
If God is "pleased by our expressions of praise", stating things that God should already know, does that mean that our very act of doing so is fulfilling a "lack of being pleased" in God? Thus, a desire that is wanting to be fulfilled?
Click to expand...

It is hard to understand your questions without knowing what inspired them. I am looking for even the slightest bit of common ground here. I am going to try these two questions.

1.) Have you ever been in love with someone that loved you back?
2.) Did they ever tell you that they loved you?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Here's the reason for this thread. God requires worship. However, any Being who was satisfied with himself would HAVE no need of worship. Humblenss would cause such a Being to appreciate yet refuse any worship. If worship IS required, then there is a lacking that is needing to be filled by millions of worshippers.

If it is for OUR benefit, then what purpose does it serve, for US? You can agree that this Being is exceptionally powerful, but what good does it do US to state it over and over again?

Having said that, we have the picture (in Revelation) of the 24 elders and 4 beasts constantly falling down, casting crowns, and extoling God constantly? Even if something is the truth, constant affirmation OF the truth makes no sense. :-?
 
Orion said:
In the book of Revelation, we have very strange creatures and very "monotonous" activities. . . :
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Revelation is a very symbolic book, so I wouldn't be so sure that there are very strange creatures involved in that very monotonous activity.

Worship is praise is what thankful people want to do.
 
Poke said:
Orion said:
In the book of Revelation, we have very strange creatures and very "monotonous" activities. . . :
Click to expand...

Revelation is a very symbolic book, so I wouldn't be so sure that there are very strange creatures involved in that very monotonous activity.

Worship is praise is what thankful people want to do.
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But then, you move on. In gratitude, yes, but not in constant praise for a past act. Plus, Revelation seems to be stating that the elders and beast are in a constant state of falling down, casting crowns, and giving alms.

By the way, I believe most of Revelation to be symbolic, as well as most of the major incidences of the Bible.
 
JM said:
...any Being who was satisfied with himself would HAVE no need of worship.
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On what absolute authority are you basing this assumption on?

Thank you.

jm
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First, I don't claim "absolute authority".

Second, Gabby, the logic is sound.

Does God NEED worship? If God does, then there is an unsatisfaction until worship is received.

If God does NOT need worship, then why is it still expected?
 
Gabbylittleangel said:
Orion said:
If God does NOT need worship, then why is it still expected?
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He probably does not expect it from you Orion. The loss is yours as well as HIs.
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Some of these responses are typical Christian rhetoric. Orion has some good questions that he has a right to ask. I think the honest Christian response to them might be this one: "I don't REALLY know the answers."
 
Thank you, SputnikBoy. And yes, some christian rhetoric is worse than others. :roll:
 
SputnikBoy said:
Gabbylittleangel said:
Orion said:
If God does NOT need worship, then why is it still expected?
Click to expand...

He probably does not expect it from you Orion. The loss is yours as well as HIs.
Click to expand...

Some of these responses are typical Christian rhetoric. Orion has some good questions that he has a right to ask. I think the honest Christian response to them might be this one: "I don't REALLY know the answers."
Click to expand...

I have the answers. What I don't know how to do is explain color to a blind man or music to a deaf man.
The thought coming through the posts from non-believers is that they are smarter, more exciting and more emotionally balanced than the God who created them.
My message ~however lacking in eloquence is ~no they are not.
My goal is to get the non-believer to stop for a moment and consider the possibility that they don't know it all. That perhaps there is something there in Scripture that they do not understand. That perhaps their theology is built on something that they picked up from stand up comedy, or a sit-com, or a classmate in school. Certainly they are reading things into Scripture that is not there.
For example:
[
Constant?
Orion, The passage that you speak of is in Chapters 4 & 5. It is during the opening of the seals. The opening of the seals was a one time event. Full of cheers, worship, praise and fascination.
It is impossible to compare that event with anything else. Yet..I'm gonna try. Dec 31. Time Square. People are constantly cheering and counting. Football player crosses into the end zone with the ball. Sheesh. People cheer, stand on their feet and yell. (Worship?)
To understand the things of God, Scripture needs to be studied. Not ridiculed.
Hbr 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
 
Hi Orion,

Orion wrote:
Does God NEED worship? If God does, then there is an unsatisfaction until worship is received.
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The question isn't does God NEED worship, but rather is God WORTHY of worship. Just as one honors a good father here, how much more should our Heavenly Father receive Glory, and Honor. We give credit where credit is due. We should be honoring the Most High, and paying homage. It is not vanity, or need, on God's part, but deserved in a portion that is more than we can offer, and certainly more than we choose to offer.

God inhabits praise. We are communing with God in prayer, and genuine praise, because it is our love towards Him, and He is responsive. We, as a church, are also in one mind with each other in this specific point. The church can disagree on a great many things, but we can all worship, and praise, together.

If we make praiseful observations in our life it prevents us from discouragement, and keeps us thinking in a thankful manner...we avoid hopelessness this way, and mistrust in the Word of God. Ever heard the little saying, "seeds of discouragement can not grow in a thankful heart"? A thankful heart attributes to God all the glory, because He DESERVES all the glory. It protects us from getting to a place where we are blaming God for things, and helps us observe all the gifts...or at least as many as we can see...that He bestows upon us. When we do this we can keep our trust in Him forefront, and we can not become blind to His works in our life, and avoid discouragement because we remember He is our Hope.

The next thing praise does, is it allows us a way to show our thankfulness. My soul longs to sing praises to God. I do not feel it is forced, but that it flows from my soul. In fact, I feel as if I will burst sometimes. I love God, and I am thankful for all the blessings He has given me...sometimes that thankfulness humbles me to a point that I am stopped in my tracks. What would I do without His love? I am so grateful for it, and am undeserving of it, and He loved me anyway. This merits praise, and is evidence that I love Him to myself, to those around me, and to Him...though He knows...but how much more lovely to hear his children's love, and worship.

As I touched on in the above paragraph, praise teaches us humility, and reminds us of our unworthiness. God requires us to ask him for things, and to praise Him for things, and this reminds us of how much we truly need Him, and how much we do not deserve Him. This brings us to a place of submission (protective obedience), and protects us from the tempter's efforts to keep us focused on self.

Praise strengthens us because it increases our joy. When we remember to be thankful there is much to be joyful about. This brings about strength in us, and encourages us to keep striving, and protects us from becoming weakened by doing things in our own power.

I could probably continue in this some more, but I think you can see what I mean about how it benefits us. Now, all of that being said, God does delight in the praises of His people. Why? He is our benefactor of mercy, and He love us, and it pleased Him to bruise His own Son for our salvation. He loves to hear His children sing praises to Him as an expression of love.

Now this could be more christian rhetoric, but it is the simple truth of the matter, imo. God is all-sufficient, but what is man that He is mindful of us? This is the very reason we praise Him to begin with. The Lord bless you.
 
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