A Heart of Praise Changes the World

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.

(Psalm 84:5-6)

Creation responds to our praise. When our heart is set on God, it affects wherever we go. The Valley of Baca is a dry and barren place, a place of weeping. That is what the name Baca means, “weeping.” But when we pass through with the things of God in our hearts and His praises on our lips, it causes wells to spring up in the desert places. Barren lands become a place of fruitfulness and the Valley of Weeping becomes a place of blessing.

The one who sets his thoughts and imagination on the Word of God becomes like a tree planted by rivers of water, bearing fruit in season, never withering but always prospering (Psalm 1:1-3). Those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ, out of their innermost beings flow rivers of living water — the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39). The river of God always flows with abundance to bless the earth (Psalm 65:9-11).

When we give all our praise to God, it causes the earth to yield its increase:

Let the peoples praise You, O god;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Then the earth shall yield her increase;
God, our own God, shall bless us.

(Psalm 67:5-6)

These are not just psychological effects, changes in the soul, but changes in the natural. The spiritual realm is the basis for the natural realm. So when we worship God in spirit and in truth, it effects the natural as well as the spirit and the soul.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Kingdom of God, come! Will of God, be done on earth as it is in heaven!” (Matthew 6:10). When we pray that in faith, the atmosphere of heaven begins to pervade the things of earth, lining them up with the order of God.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, set your heart on God. Give Him praise and watch how it changes your surroundings.