Praise

Though a day may seem covered by a cloud of despair because of overwhelming challenges, something very powerful can lift the atmosphere. A simple word of praise from another person can bring light into the darkness and awaken possibilities that were previously unseen. Attention is drawn to something good and valuable, redirecting the focus from discouragement toward hope and renewed purpose.

Proverbs 12:25 (MSG) “Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.”

Something valuable that was there all along is suddenly magnified and given greater influence. Praise has the power to lift the heart, change the perspective, and reveal a way forward toward victory.

There is a similar, yet far greater, principle in the access we have been given to the Almighty. Rather than receiving praise, there is tremendous power in giving praise to the One who has always been—and will always be—more than enough. Knowing Him involves acknowledging His greatness, drawing near to Him, and responding in faith to who He is. Praise gives voice to that faith.

The mountain that seemed too high and the chasm that appeared too wide undergo a transformation of perspective when our gaze shifts from the impossibility before us to the God who is infinitely greater than it. Simply declaring His virtues—His power, wisdom, holiness, faithfulness, creativity, goodness, and love—lifts our eyes above the despair below.

In praise, He becomes the lifter of our head and the expander of our vision. What overwhelmed us becomes smaller in the light of His greatness. What seemed impossible is viewed through the reality of His limitless ability.

Praise does not make God greater; praise makes His greatness greater in our awareness. It moves our attention from the size of the problem to the greatness of our God. And as faith rises through praise, we give place in our lives to the One who has been Almighty all along.

Notes

We’re formed/created to praise - why?

Isaiah 43:21 (NKJV) 21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

Enemies silenced from infant praise

Psalms 8:2 (NKJV) 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

Praise of God’s greatness is for everyone, everywhere.

Psalms 150:1-6 (TPT) 1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Praise God in his holy sanctuary! Praise him in his stronghold in the sky! 2 Praise him for his miracles of might! Praise him for his magnificent greatness! 3 Praise him with the trumpets blasting! Praise him with piano and guitar! 4 (4-5) Praise him with drums and dancing! Praise him with the loud, resounding clash of cymbals! Praise him with every instrument you can find! 6 Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

It’s how we draw near.

Psalms 100:4 (TLB) 4 Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Praise is His residence.

Psalms 22:3 (NKJV) 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

The discouraged/hopeless take heart in praise.

Psalms 34:1-3 (TPT) 1 A song by King David composed after his escape from the king when he pretended to be insane. Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me! My lips are full of perpetual praise. 2 I’m boasting of you and all your works, so let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all.

Facing a massive attack - turning to God in praise opened victory’s door.

2 Chronicles 20:2 (NLT) 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.)

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT) 15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

2 Chronicles 20:19-23 (NLT) 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. 20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.

Praise, not service, alone activates power for God to work

Psalms 69:30-32 (NLT) 30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. 31 For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. 32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.

As a sacrifice of an animal overcame our deficiencies, so a sacrifice of praise does what we cannot.

Hebrews 13:15 (TPT) 15 So we no longer offer up a steady stream of blood sacrifices, but through Jesus, we will offer up to God a steady stream of praise sacrifices—these are “the lambs” we offer from our lips that celebrate his name!

Putting on praise establishes roots in righteousness that produce fruit for God’s glory.

Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

Praise pleases God’s heart with opportunity for united purpose.

Luke 10:21 (TPT) 21 Then Jesus, overflowing with the Holy Spirit’s anointing of joy, exclaimed, “Father, thank you, for you are Lord Supreme over heaven and earth! You have hidden the great revelation of this authority from those who are proud, those wise in their own eyes, and you have shared it with these who humbled themselves. Yes, Father. This is what pleases your heart and the very way you’ve chosen to extend your kingdom: to give to those who become like trusting children.

Let’s Praise!

Psalms 150:6 (NKJV) 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!