Continually

There is a difference between the words: "continuously" and "continually." Both have something to do with duration.

Continually means that something goes on for a long period of time...but there may be intervals of interruption. For example, you could say that it "rains continually in the Seattle area during the winter months." That doesn't mean it rains without ceasing...just that it rains on and off throughout the winter.

Continuously means that something goes on for a period of time without stopping. If you said "it rained continuously in Seattle this past week," that would mean the rain never stopped - it just kept on raining. 

The Hebrew word often used in the verses below is tamiyd, which means to stretch, to continue. Sometimes it combines the meanings from continuous and continual - so sometimes the Holy Spirit is meaning for us to keep going over a period of time...and sometimes He is meaning for us to keep going without stopping.

In this blog post, I am using the adjective continual rather than continuous as it is a more reasonable expectation...although I would never discourage the desire for continuous praises!

The Lord calls us to be before Him continually. This means we – have continual communion with Him...continual access to His presence. Here are some of the key verses that speak of our lives and praises being before Him continually:

• The bread of the presence (showbread) which represented all the people of Israel had to be set before the Lord continually - Ex. 25:30 And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

• We are called to seek His face continually – 1 Chron. 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore (continually)!

• There were continual offerings before the Lord during the reign of Jehoiah – 2Chron. 24:14 And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.

• David said that he set the Lord always (continually) before himself – Ps. 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved

• David said that praises to God would continually be in his mouth – Ps. 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

• David gives us the words for our continual praise – Ps. 40:16 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!” (Ps. 35:27; Ps. 70:4)

• The psalmist says He will praise God and hope continually – Ps. 71:6, 14 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.

But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.

• The Psalmist Asaph gave himself to be with the Lord continually – Ps. 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

• Hosea desires to wait on God continually – Hos. 12:6 So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

• The disciples were continually in the temple praising the Lord – Lu. 24:53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

• The disciples gave themselves to continual prayer – Acts 6:4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.  (Acts 10:7)

ª We are now challenged to bring continual sacrifices of praise – Heb. 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Go HERE for Part 2 on this topic