“I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.” Psalm 111:1

I think this describes our meetings perfectly at the moment. When the Spirit of the Lord descends, there come waves of praise and thanksgiving over God’s people. It feels as if our hearts are going to burst with joy. With all our hearts, we give thanks to God for His goodness. 

I can’t remember such a wave of praise amongst our people in quite this way. Our younger folks are almost begging me to keep the meetings going, and I must admit that the meetings are difficult to bring to a close! I might be tempted if it wasn’t for the creche and Sunday school leaders! 

What a wonderful gift is this spirit of praise. Within ourselves there is no good thing, and there is certainly no desire to praise Him. We so often wake tired. Exulting in the presence of God is the last thing we feel like doing, especially first thing in the morning. 

And yet, when the Spirit of God has come amongst His church, all we want to do is sing and praise Him with all our hearts. It is the manifestation of His presence in His church. 

What will it be on that great day when thousands and millions of angels sing together before the throne of God? The sound of perfect power with beautiful harmonies of praise. What will it sound like when every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea joins in that song of praise? It will be utterly phenomenal. We are blown away by the spirit of praise amongst us just now. It feels like we’re touching eternity. What will it be when we enter heaven? Then there will be no need to worry about the children’s work or if visitors find services lengthy. As we enter heaven's courts, we will have entered the longest service of praise that has ever started.  There will be no need to choose new or old songs for every song will be the right one for it will be the song of the redeemed. And there will be no closing prayer or reproachful looks from the younger generation! 

It’s time to prepare for heaven now so that when He comes for us or if we go to meet Him, then we are ready.

“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Revelation 5:11-13 NLT