I am a "Praiser"! It's not just something I do. It is who I am! I recently ministered on "What Happens When We Praise" and, as always, when I minister, I learned a lot about praise. I am so blessed to go to a church where we are free to worship our God in freedom. I have been in churches where they put God in a box and the worship was restricted. Deliver me from that atmosphere! God has done so much for me. How can I not worship Him freely? Sometimes I want to shout and I shout! Sometimes I want to dance and I dance! (sort of) Sometimes I want to clap my hands and I am free to clap my hands. Sometimes I want to cry buckets and I do that too. God created us to have emotions. Emotions aren't bad!! When we praise, we need to get our emotions involved. It's good to "feel" like praising! Something happens when we praise, forgetting about those around us, letting go of our defenses and giving our all to God.
Praise is also a weapon. Remember the story of Jehosaphat where Israel was surrounded by the enemy. When Jehosaphat asked God what to do, a prophet gave him a word from the Lord. That Word was to have "Singers" go out in front of the army and God told them they wouldn't have to fight the battle! And when they did as God said, their enemy became confused and turned on each other and they were defeated. The battle was won! There are times we "feel" defeated. It is at those times that you should '"praise on purpose". Even if you don't feel like it, offer up a sacrifice of praise! You will find that darkness will lift off of you and you will find yourself in the presence of the Lord! The Bible says that God inhabits our praises. This literally means that God moves in and makes His home in our praises. Are you providing a home for God in your life? On the other side, if you are continually walking in discouragement and complaining and talking about how bad your life is, you make a home for your enemy. He will move in.
God told the children of Israel many times to be strong and have courage. Even though He had given them the promised land, they still had to do battle for what was already theirs. Why did He tell them to be strong and not fear? Because fear attracts the enemy! If they had gone in as fearful, cowardly people, they would have been defeated. The same goes for us. Fear attracts the enemy but faith attracts God!
So, praise the Lord today! Shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph! Clap your hands all you people! Dance like David danced! He is worthy, is He not?
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