Though it can really be a sacrifice amidst our earthly stress and struggles, God nonetheless expects everyone alive to stay connected to His grace through a lifestyle of praise (Heb.13:15.)
To praise God is an instruction not a suggestion. It is a responsibility for everyone alive!
The gift of life is priceless and precedes every other thing. Nothing else matters without it!
There’s power in acknowledging that God, the Source of life, is worthy of our worship and praise.
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6”
Why does God demand praise from everyone alive? Is He narcissistic or egocentric?
Praise helps to:
1) Look up (to the face of God) Revelation 4:1
Praise focuses us back to God, away from ourselves and all mundane weights (earthly troubles and challenges, satanic and demonic attacks etc.) It takes a gratitude heart (rather than worried, troubled and complaining hearts) to stay connected to God.
“Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:2-6
2) Humble us (in the Presene of God) Psalm 113
Praise submits us under the mighty hand of the Lord as grateful dependants. As we worship Him as Lord, we acknowledge that He is above all and in control of all situations.
Praise reminds us who our God is above the problems and challenge of life.
"And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long."
Psalm 35:28
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15
3) Soar up into the heavenly (in the Spirit) Ezekiel 8:3
Praise lifts us up into the spiritual realms and causes us to triumph over earthly worries that weigh down. Praising God is one of the major spiritual exercises to soar up in the spirit. Praise and worship keeps you heavenly and spiritual, lifting up your spirit to connect with God (2 Cor.12:1-2.) Praise focuses our heart on God’s goodness and faithfulness away from our sadness and weakness.
"But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee." Psalm 5:11
4) Minister in the Spirit (unto the Lord) Psalm 95: 2-3
Praise is the only thing God has not given us that we can chose to give to Him.
Praise is the only thing that we can do to God that He chose not do for Himself. Praise is about ministering to God for who He is. It is a tool to tap to God’s unending riches in glory (Eph. 3:20.)
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" 1 Peter 2:9
5) Blow away atmosphere of evil. Isaiah 35:10
At the root of praise and appreciation is contentment, which destroys bitterness and murmuring. Praise dispels atmosphere of sadness, weakness and darkness.
Praise tells our problems how great our God is. It replaces atmosphere of loss with hope.
God, in His infinite wisdom knows that we will go through threatening situations and that only praise lifestyle can lift us up from the pit of sorrow, self-pity, weakness, losses, defeats and failures.
“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
6) Pull down devil and its spiritual forces. Revelation 12:11
Praise is a potent weapon of spiritual warfare. Since God inhabits the praises of His people, Satan has no choice than to flee. While God cannot resist praise, Satan cannot withstand it.
Praise pulls down our tormentors and subjects them to the authority of Christ.
“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
“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
7) Connect us to the Presence of God. Psalm 22:3
Thanksgiving is the official transportation to the presence of God (Psalm 100:4a).
Praise fills us up with the magnificent presence of God and empties us of worries and self.
God dwells in the praises of His people. In our moments of despairs, God longs for us to connect to the power and glory ever available in His presence.
“In His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4
8) Secure Divine Direction. Psalm 105: 43
God leads and divinely direct in atmosphere of joy and gratitude.
God dwells in atmosphere of praise and gratitude And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness.
"Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my Exceeding Joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise Thee, O God my God." Psalm 43:4
9) Appreciate in the Grace of God. John 12:32
Appreciation of God appreciates you!
Nothing depreciates in the face of appreciation. Appreciation always yields multiplication.
Favour, additions and promotions answer to praise (Acts 2:47; Jh.6:11).
Praise attracts promotion and recognition (Jh.12:32).
"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His Tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Psalm 27:6
10) Lead to a life of fruitfulness. Joel 1:12
A grateful heart is the guarantee for a fruitful life.
The more you praise God or a person, the more of His goodness you will attract to yourself.
One needs often to be forceful in leading a life of praise. Only the people that sows praise up, despite forces of resistance can hope to harvest rains of Joy.
"I will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much people."
Psalm 35:18
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Psalm 126:5
11) Attract God's blessing. Psalm 67:6
Praise connects us to the King and to everything available in His presence. Think about it!
In the presence of the King is His power and provision.
We are refreshed, restored and renewed. We are transformed, changed and made whole.
Obedient people are blessed people (Job 36:11.) Appreciation helps to unlock into your life the sea of God’s unending blessing. Dwelling in His presence makes us partakers of His glory.
"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
12) Reach up to release God's Glory. Psalm 100:4
Praise takes you to the inner court of God into His presence, power and provisions (Psalm 100:4b). While daily earthly struggles can becloud our consciousness of God’s presence, it takes praise to thrust through the dragging force of life into God’s inner court- the realm of glory - where we experience God’s power, miracles, victories, and other life-changing encounters.
"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." Psalm 63:3-4
Your Praise will raise you!
There's such a great rewards in honouring God with a lifestyle of praise and worship.
It is a such a woeful act of disobedience to refuse to heed God’s commandment to praise Him always. It is about choosing to live in fear, worry, noise and stress of life rather than trusting the Creator’s promise to avail us of comfort, peace and serenity ever available in His presence (Matt. 11:28-30.) It is only when we chose to obey God’s command to praise Him in all situations (not for all situations), that we - like Peter looking towards Jesus amidst the storms of life- can afford to walk on the waters of life by faith.