These days, I find myself saying enough already. How about you? It seems we have been on a roller coaster that is never-ending in the last 10 -12 weeks. This rollercoaster has taken us through sharp twists and turns and affected our emotions, finances, health, and physical well-being. On top of that, we are experiencing division and disunity which further creates anxious feelings and worries.
But today, I’d like to let you in on a secret.
A Listening Heart
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That secret is the power of praise. When you and I are going through tough times, the last thing we want to do is praise but it is exactly what we need.
Praise God.
It is the secret formula that can help fill our hearts with overflowing joy despite any hardship we may experience.
What does it mean to praise God?
Psalm 147:1 Reminds us that it is delightful and fitting to sing praises to God. Praising God means to express adoration to God for who he is and what he does. Praise is all about God, His nature, His character, and His majesty. When we praise God, we rejoice in him. We praise him with dancing, singing, or reflect on his goodness. We can say, Father, you are faithful, you are Holy, your Word is true. You are the one who heals, restores, and grants us unmerited grace. Your mercies are new every day. You are compassionate and abounding in love.
Praising God is an essential ingredient If we want to soar through hard times.
What are the benefits of praising God?
Let me share a story about young Willie. In 2014, young Willie was 9 years old. He was playing outside his home in Atlanta when a man drove up and kidnapped him. Willie had learned the song “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker in Sunday School. Young Willie started singing and didn’t stop when the kidnapper yelled at him to stop. For about three hours, the kidnapper drove around town with Willie singing.
Young Willie never stopped singing Every praise. In frustration, the kidnapper stopped, opened the car door, and let him out. What do you think happened here? Why was Willie released unharmed?
Psalm 149:5-9 gives us a clue
Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their mouths and a sharp sword in their hands— to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord! Psalm 149:5-9
Praising God with our mouth is like a sharp sword in our hands with which we can take vengeance on Satan. It is a weapon we can use to bind the powers, principalities, and rulers of darkness. Singing praise saved young Willie’s life.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness. With our praise we can:
- Fight off the powers of darkness that threaten our lives.
- Inflict significant damage to Satan and his minions.
- Unleash God’s vengeance on Satan and bind him with fetters and shackles of iron.
- Release god’s overflowing joy in our spirit
The enemy works overtime to keep us from knowing the power of praising God. When we don’t use the power of praise, he messes with us and we suffer in silence. Satan rules where there is darkness and ignorance.
Friend, Praise is a God-given right of every believer. If you are a child of God, you can praise Him.
How to Soar on the Wings of Praise
The book of Psalms is full of words of praise to God. Psalms 144-150 are examples of Psalms of praise. You can praise God for:
- Who He is.
- His word and promises.
- Ways He is working in your life behind the scenes.
- How He has revealed Himself to you.
- His plans for your future.
- Ways He is working in the world.
You can also praise God through music and dancing.
Praising God compels Him to move swiftly and act on our behalf. The battle is the Lord’s, but praise belongs on our lips. While God is fighting for us, we praise Him. As we continue to ride the roller coaster of these uncertain times, let’s remember that we have victory in Christ.
Let’s soar on the wings of praising Him. Praising God regularly will help us draw closer to God and fill us with overflowing joy even in tough times.
In what ways have you experienced the power of praise in your life? Share in the comments below.
Prayer
Lord, Every praise, Every praise, belongs to you. Every word of worship belongs to you. We praise you for your holiness, faithfulness, and majesty. You alone are worthy of our praise and adoration. Thank you for helping us to get through these tough times. Thank you for replacing hate, disunity, and oppression with your love. Help us to love one another. We bless you, In Jesus Name Amen.
