THE POWER OF PRAISE
HEBREW 13:15-16 , ACTS 16:25-27
Praise in the Bible refers to the act of honoring or showing gratefulness to God. It involves expressing gratitude and admiration to God for His goodness, mercy, and love. Praise in the Bible can take various forms, including singing, dancing, giving thanks, and offering sacrifices. It is a way of acknowledging God's greatness and giving Him glory and honor.
Praise is one of the most powerful tools in a Christian's spiritual arsenal. It is a form of worship that is rooted in truth and honor, and it is a powerful way to connect with God on a deeper level.
Praise is an essential aspect of worship, and it is mentioned throughout the Bible. From the Psalms to the New Testament, the Bible is filled with passages that emphasize the importance of praising God. Psalm 100:4 states, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Similarly, Psalm 34:1 says, "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
WHY IS PRAISE SO POWERFUL?
Praise is also powerful because it can change our perspective.
Praise is powerful because it focuses our attention on God instead of ourselves. When we praise God, we acknowledge his greatness, his holiness, and his goodness. We are reminded of our place in the universe and the fact that we are not the center of it. We are also reminded of God's love for us and his desire for us to live in relationship with him.
When we are in the midst of difficulty or trial, praising God can help us to see beyond our circumstances and focus on his goodness. It allows us to trust in his power and sovereignty, even when we don't understand what is happening around us.
One of the most prominent examples in the Bible of the power of praise is found in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat of Judah was facing a formidable army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites. Instead of giving up or relying on human strength and wisdom, he turned to God in prayer and fasting. As he led his people to seek God’s help, God responded through Jahaziel, a prophet, who declared that the battle was His and that the people should not fear or be discouraged. He instructed them to march out to the battlefield, and before they even engaged in battle, they were to put their trust in God’s word and worship Him through singing and praising.
They obeyed the prophet, and as they began to praise God, the Lord set an ambush against the enemy armies, causing them to defeat each other. The battle was won, and the Israelites emerged victorious. This account shows us that praise is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare that can lead to our victories over our enemies.
Another vital aspect of praise is that it shifts our focus from our problems and challenges to the greatness of God. When we praise God, we are reminding ourselves of His sovereignty, His goodness, His faithfulness, and His power. We are declaring that we trust Him to take care of our needs and that we believe that He is with us and for us.
In Psalm 22:3, the Bible says, “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” This verse teaches us that God resides in the praises of His people. When we praise God, we invite His presence into our lives, and we set the stage for miracles and breakthroughs to occur.
So, how can we praise God? There are many ways and forms of praise that are modeled in the Bible. Here are a few examples:
1: SINGING:
Singing is one of the most common ways to praise God. The Bible is filled with songs of praise and worship, and music has the power to move our hearts and souls. When we sing to God, we are offering our hearts and voices to him as instruments of worship.
Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
2: DANCING:
We see in the Bible accounts of people dancing before the Lord as a form of praise. It is a physical expression of our joy and gratitude towards Him.
Psalm 134:1-2. 1chronicles5:13-14. Psalms 33:3
3: CLAPPING AND SHOUTING:
Psalm 47:1 says, “Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!” We can clap our hands and shout aloud as we declare our victory in Christ.
4: PRAYING:
Prayer is another powerful way to praise God. When we pray, we are communicating with God and expressing our love and gratitude for him. We can praise God for who he is, for what he has done for us, and for his faithfulness and love.
Psalm 63:3-4 says, "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."
5: TESTIFYING:
When we share our testimonies with others, we are praising God for the work that he has done in our lives. Testimonies are powerful because they remind us of God's faithfulness and goodness, and they inspire others to trust in him as well.
Psalm 9:1-2 says, "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."
6: GIVING:
When we give to God and others, we are praising God for his provision and generosity. Giving is an act of worship because it demonstrates our trust in God's ability to provide for our needs.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
7: SERVICE:
When we serve others, we are also serving God. Serving is an act of worship because it demonstrates our love for God and our desire to obey his commands.
Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
CONCLUSION:
Praise is a powerful tool that can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. When we praise God, we are acknowledging his greatness and goodness, and we are reminding ourselves of his love and faithfulness. May we continue to praise God in all circumstances, trusting in his power and sovereignty, and giving him all the honor and glory that he deserves.
