What the Power of Praise Can Do: 8 Reminders from His Word
(by Debbie McDaniel – blogger for crosswalk.com)
We have so much to praise God for. There’s great power in giving honor to Him. And many of you live that truth out, every single day of your lives. The Bible is filled with examples of praise when we see His power released – life-changing miracles, dramatic stories of the enemy being halted or defeated, hearts being changed and drawn closer to Him. Yet reality is that, way too often, daily struggles or constant life demands can crowd out our praise to God. We might check the worship box at church and somehow think we’re good for the week. And all the while, with souls distant and cold, we sing words, we listen to music, and then we go home.
What the Power of Praise Can Do – 8 Things:
- Praise gets our focus off ourselves and back on God. “Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” Psalm 150:2
- Praise brings us to a place of humility.“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.” Psalm 95:2-3
- Praise makes the enemy flee.“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 Chronicles 20:22
- Praise leaves no room for complaining and negativity.“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.” Psalm 103:2-4
- Praise makes room for God’s blessings over our lives.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
- Praise invites His presence.“He inhabits the praises of His people.” Psalm 22:3
- Our spirits are refreshed and renewed in His presence.“In His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
- It paves the way for God’s power to be displayed, miracles happen. “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, focused only on what surrounds us. 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.
