Spontaneous Praise
Christ instructed his disciples to rejoice because their names were written in heaven, nonetheless, the seventy disciples couldn't stop babbling about the wonders they saw when they commanded demons and sicknesses to depart from afflicted folks at the name of Jesus! Their innocent babbling brought about spontaneous praise from Christ: "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." Luke 10:21.
Why is the babbling expression of wonder or gratitude by a babe of more importance to parents than the well articulated, and gratitude infused speech presented by their adult child at his or her higher education graduation ceremony? Short answer, the former is spontaneous and full of innocent emotions; while the latter is well thought out, almost mechanical and sometimes borderline self-serving.
An example of a mechanical self serving speech is captured in Luke 18:11-12: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess" - Excellent speech, it contains expression of gratitude to GOD, service unto GOD and self discipline (fasting) - but it was all empty because it was self-serving - he prayed to himself ("with himself" as Christ said).
The irony of spontaneous praise is it's efficacy, let’s examine an example by king Jehoshaphat and the children of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20:20-22: “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten”
It's ironic that King Jehoshaphat decided to setup praise singers instead of warriors at the head of his army. However, his sincerity and babe-like faith earned him a glorious victory!
In conclusion, spontaneous praise is the product of child-like faith in GOD and in Christ. It originates from the souls of believers who spend quality time in meditating on the awesome goodness of GOD. A grateful heart will always offer spontaneous praises.
Shalom!