Praise
means:
express
one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song
1.
PRAISE BRINGS US TO A PLACE OF HUMILITY:
We
remember our dependency on God, as we acknowledge our need for Him.
As we praise Him as Creator and King of this world, we admit and
recognize that we’re not in control, but He is. He is above all.
“Let
us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him
with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all
gods.” Psa. 95:2-3
"I
will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much
people." Psa. 35:18
2.
PRAISE GETS OUR FOCUS OFF OURSELVES AND BACK ON GOD:
In
our often “selfie” focused world, we need this constant reminder - life
is not all about us. We may know that in our heads, but yet our
hearts think differently so often. We're prone to selfishness, He desires
our eyes be set firmly on Him, because that's where our true hope is found.
He is worthy of our praise, no matter what we face from day to day.
“Praise
him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent
greatness!” Psa. 150:2
"And
my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day
long." Psa. 35:28
3.
PRAISE MAKES THE ENEMY FLEE:
It
pushes back the darkness the surrounds, and blocks the attacks and mocking lies
over us. Evil will not stick around or attach itself if we’re praising
our God, because God will fight for us. In the story of Jehoshaphat, we
see God miraculously defeat the enemy, because of the people’s obedience to
praise Him.
“As
they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon
and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were
defeated” 2 Chron. 20:22
4.
PRAISE REMOVES COMPLAINING AND NEGATIVITY:
Sometimes
even within our prayers, we can tend to complain about our problems. God
knows our hearts. And He cares about all that concerns us. But
through praise, we’re focused on Him, no longer allowing too much attention to
be centered around the struggles. We’re reminded of what He has already
done in our lives. We’re reminded that He knows what concerns us, and is
capable of taking care of all that burdens us.
“Bless
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your
iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who
crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Psa. 103:2-4
"By
him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is,
the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Heb. 13:15
5.
PRAISE OPENS THE GATEWAY OF
BLESSING:
He
will not hold back His goodness, praise opens the gateway of blessing as we
come into the Presence of our King.
“Enter
his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him;
bless his name!” Psa. 100:4
"Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Eph. 1:3
6.
PRAISE INVITES HIS PRESENCE:
God
dwells close to us when we praise Him. He lives there. He looks for
it.
“He
inhabits the praises of His people.” Psa. 22:3
"But
you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light;" 1 Pet. 2:9
7.
OUR SPIRITS ARE REFRESHED AND RENEWED WHEN WE PRAISE:
We're strengthened
by His peace and refueled by His joy. Through a heart of praise, we
realize that God doesn’t just change our situations and work through our
problems, He changes our hearts.
“In
His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Psa. 16:11
"Because
your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I
live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." Psa. 63:3-4
8.
PRAISE PAVES THE WAY FOR GOD'S POWER TO BE DISPLAYED:
Miracles happen when we praise. People's lives
are affected and changed. God shakes things up through praise. As Paul
and Silas sat in prison, shackled, and chained, they kept right on praising God.
And God sent an earthquake that shook the cells and broke the
chains. The jailer and all his family came to know Christ that very
night.
“About
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the
prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors
were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.” Acts 16:25-26
We
have a choice every day in this life. To live absorbed in worry and
stress, on the fast track of busy, focused only on what surrounds us, tuned
into the roar of the world.
Or,
we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around,
our problems and mess, or the voices of others. And we can look up...to Him,
the One who holds it all together, and who holds us in his hands.
God
desires our whole heart. He waits for us to return. He
longs for us to know the power of His presence over our lives. He
desires to bless us more than we could imagine. His Spirit urges us
onward, calling us closer.
May
He help us to look up...open our mouths...and sing.