In our daily faith journey, praise plays a significant role. It helps us to shift our focus from our problems and circumstances to God, reminding us of His sovereignty and faithfulness. It lifts our spirits, strengthens our trust in Him, and deepens our relationship with Him.
Much has been said about the “Big 3” of positive thinking. Thanksgiving, Praise, and Worship are often grouped together as a much needed tool set for a positive and productive life. While this is true, we should know that if we perceive these mindsets to be nothing more than a tool to get what we want, we have lowered their value in the eyes of the One who truly deserves to receive them. These mind games of manipulation will serve to produce the opposite of what God intends them to do.
Praise is a human generated expression of appreciation to God for who He is and what He does. Praise acknowledges and exalts God's attributes, character, and deeds, recognizing His greatness, goodness, and love.
Praising God also brings us joy and peace, as it aligns our hearts with His will. It helps us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and keeps us mindful of His blessings in our lives. Additionally, praise helps us to draw closer to God, allowing His presence and power to work in and through us.
1 Chronicles 16:25-27 – “For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.”
Psalm 34:1 – “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.”
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”
Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips praising His name.”
These verses highlight the importance and value of praising God, emphasizing His greatness, the need for gratitude, and the continuous nature of our praise.
I. The Invitation to Praise
Let’s begin by understanding the invitation we have to praise God. In Psalm 150:6, we read, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” This verse reminds us that praise is not limited to a select few; it is a call for all of us, regardless of our circumstances, to give God the honor and adoration He deserves. Praise is not merely a ritual or tradition, but a divine invitation to experience joy, freedom, and peace in our daily journey of faith.
II. The Impact of Praise
So, what does praise do for us? Praise has a profound impact on our lives—it releases us from the chains of discouragement, depression, and anxiety that can hinder our faith journey.
A. Praise Shifts Our Focus: Praise redirects our attention from our problems to the greatness and faithfulness of God. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” When we choose to praise, we shift our perspective and fix our gaze on the One who holds all things in His hands.
EXAMPLE: Paul and Silas shifted their thinking from the problem to God. That shift initiated a miracle.
B. Praise Produces Strength and Joy: Praise stirs up joy and strength within us. In 1 Chronicles 16:27, we are reminded, “Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.” When we express our thanksgiving and adoration to God, our hearts overflow with joy, and our strength builds.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” (Psalm 28:7, NASB20)
C. Praise Moves Us Nearer to God: Praise creates an atmosphere where we draw closer to God and experience His presence. Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually.” As we intentionally praise Him, our hearts open to His love and peace, and we develop a deeper connection with our Creator.
“Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3, NASB20)
“And it was the duty of the trumpeters and the singers to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they raised their voices accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, ‘He indeed is good for His faithfulness continues forever,’ then the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14, NASB20)
III. Expressions of Praise
Now that we understand the significance of praise, let’s explore different expressions that can help unlock its power in our lives.
A. Speak Praise: Use your words to express adoration, thanksgiving, and worship to God.
Psalm 19:14 (NASB20): “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
B. Turn Up The Music: Engage in singing or listen to soul-stirring praise and worship music. Let the melodies and lyrics uplift your spirit and draw you closer to God.
Psalm 96:1-2 (NASB20): “Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good news of His salvation day-to-day.”
“Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a jubilant cry of joy.” (Psalm 47:1, NASB20)
C. Pray Your Praise: Make praise a part of your prayers. Acknowledge God’s attributes, express gratitude for His blessings, and worship Him as you communicate with Him personally.
Psalm 100:4 NASB20: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NASB20 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
D. Stop Fighting and Start Praising: Reflect on passages that highlight God’s greatness, works, and promises. Allow His Word to shape your thoughts and lead you to praise.
Psalm 46:10 – “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”
This verse reminds us to be still and surrender our worries and efforts, acknowledging that God is in control. Meditating on this verse can help us find peace and trust in God’s sovereignty.
Isaiah 40:28-31 – “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”
This passage reassures us of God’s unfathomable wisdom, strength, and ability to sustain us. Meditating on these verses can renew our hope and remind us that God empowers and strengthens us when we wait on Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This verse encourages us to bring our anxieties and concerns to God through prayer, accompanied by a heart of gratitude. Meditating on this passage can help us experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds.
E. Let Your Testimony Be Heard Our testimony is incredibly important in praise because it is a powerful way to express and share our personal experiences of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and transformative work in our lives. When we testify about what God has done for us, it brings glory to Him and encourages others in their own faith journey.
“They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (Revelation 12:11, NASB20)
Conclusion:
Praise is not a mere formality or a religious duty; it is a divine invitation to experience the transformative power of God in our lives. Let us embrace this invitation and let praise become a constant rhythm in our journey of faith.
May the words of Psalm 150:6 resound in our hearts: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” May our lives be a beautiful symphony that glorifies and honors our great God through the power of praise. Amen!