CREATED TO PRAISE
By Derek Prime
Christian Focus. 127 pages, £7.99
ISBN 978 1 781 912 362
Famously, the Shorter Catechism tells us that the chief purpose of our lives should be ‘to glorify God and enjoy him forever.’
This book by Derek Prime is both excellent and important as it seeks to encourage us to become people whose lives are truly filled with the praise of God. The author begins by explaining and proving that heartfelt praise is indeed intended to be our chief purpose in life. This is followed by a brief consideration of God himself, deserving of all worship, the magnificent object of our praise.
Then the book gets practical. Why is singing such an important element of praise? Is it right that our praises turn into complaints when troubles hit us? Why can a Christian praise God as he or she faces the last enemy of death? These are significant questions for evangelicals today.
Scruff of the neck
It is quite rare today to come across believers who are aglow with joy in God. We may have become too sophisticated for our own good. For all our Reformed emphasis on ‘God-centredness’, often Christians seem preoccupied with themselves, their problems and their church strategies, rather than with God. Living in a man-centred, secular world we need taking by the scruff of the neck and confronting with what we were really saved to do — declare his praises. Derek Prime’s book will do that for us.
The last chapter inevitably lands us in heaven and explains how the purpose for which we are created will find its most joyful and fullest possible expression before the throne of God. Just as, years ago, John Piper’s Desiring God did such good by redirecting us to enjoy the Lord, so this book could bring a much needed revolution of praise among the churches.
