The call to worship is familiar. Praise is a central spiritual practice, allotted dedicated time during church services, and its own genre of music. But aside from tradition or convention, why do we give praise to God? What moves us to lift our voices in song?

Contrary to what we may believe, worship is not something we offer for God's sake. It's not a divine ego boost or a means of heavenly placation. Rather, giving praise serves our good. There's an old adage that when our feelings become too big for words, we sing. Music gives shape and expression to our deepest thoughts, allowing us an outlet when we feel overcome.

Giving glory to God invites us to think on all we have to give thanks for. The culture around us constantly reminds us of things that are broken, corrupt, and upsetting. To sing praise amid such a bleak cacophony reminds us that gloom is neither inevitable nor all-encompassing. The wonders and blessings of God are all around us.

THIS WEEKENDS SETLIST
Washed - Elevation Worship
Firm Foundation - Cody Carnes
What a God - SEU Worship

1. Trace Your Trust
When something stressful happens, what is your first instinct?
Do you strategize? Control? Withdraw? Spend? Perform?
Your reflex often reveals your real foundation.
Talk through this: What does my reaction say about what I actually trust?

2. Identify Your “High Place”
Where do you feel most confident — and why?
Is it your income? Your competence? Your network? Your reputation?
Now ask the hard question: If that disappeared tomorrow, who would I be?
Security rooted in God strengthens identity. Security rooted elsewhere threatens it.

3. Examine the Motive Beneath the Build
You’re building something — we all are.
But why are you building it?

Discuss honestly: Is this ambition…or is it anxiety?

4. Separate Structure from Savior
Have you subtly confused the two?

Where have you said, “I trust God,” but functionally relied on something else?
Where has performance replaced dependence?
Where has image replaced intimacy?

“Solid Rock”
Part of Pastor Mike’s sermon had me searching my "summer church services at Green Tree Church" file somewhere in the depths of my brain, came the happy memory of watching and listening to the pastors sing with gusto into giant microphones with brightly colored tops, "The Solid Rock", a favorite hymn of mine. On the way home, I began to sing the only verse I recalled with the chorus:

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand."

I started to question myself...was "sweetest frame "right? Was it "strongest frame"? "Biggest frame"? I couldn't get my mind around "sweetest"...so of course I did some investigating...

In a commentary on the song Solid Rock I found this:

“To trust in 'The sweetest frame' refers to trusting in something that appears strong or secure. To trust in the sweetest frame for us could be to trust in our works, our status, our feelings, our political party, or our relationships for security. But compared to the security found in the framework of Christ, all of these things are insufficient. Christ alone is the strong and sure foundation on which our hearts and minds can lean for security. He is enough. Through Him, we have a strong foundation to build upon, and we can remain steadfast during the storms and ever-changing conditions around us. In Him we also have a reliable and trustworthy framework upon which we can lean entirely.”

What a great parallel to what was preached! Two things I wrote down from the sermon were “Don’t trust the structure more than the Savior” and “Security placed in the Savior will never shift”. Matthew 7:24 talks about the wise man who builds his house upon the rock. “Rock” used here in the Greek means, “A mass of connected rock”, versus loose stones which are still solid but don’t create a stable foundation. I have experienced shifted securities when my trust has NOT been in the Savior.
Over the years, and through His consistent answering of prayer in HIS time over and over and over again, I have learned better to build on the true Rock. Further, the other part Matthew 7:24 calls us to obedience to the words and teachings of Jesus which are in the Sermon on the Mount = giving, prayer, no divorce, lust, seeking first the kingdom, turn the other cheek etc. Following these teachings is essential to building on the solid Rock foundation we need when storms come.

Reflect and Respond:
What “sweetest frames” have collapsed in your life?
In what areas of your life do you tend to leave God out of building upon? (Finances, family, career, hobbies, health)
How will you begin today to rebuild your flimsiest structures upon the Savior for perfect security?

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC

1. Fast From Control (One Area)
Pick one area this week where you usually grip tightly — finances, schedule, conversations, outcomes.
Instead of forcing it forward, pause and pray before acting.
Say: “God, I will not secure this without You.”

Let surrender interrupt your instinct.

2. Build Something Quietly
Do one intentional act this week that strengthens your foundation but gains no applause.

Pray privately for 10 minutes.
Give anonymously.
Apologize without defending yourself.
Choose integrity when no one would know.

3. Audit Your Safety Nets
Write down what makes you “feel safe.”
Now circle the ones that could be taken away.

Then spend time thanking God that your real security is not dependent on those things.
Re-center your confidence in Him intentionally.

4. Replace Climbing With Kneeling
Instead of pushing harder this week, kneel longer.

Before you make a decision, send an email, have a hard conversation — pause and pray first.

Practice dependence before performance.