Someone
once wrote: "How
greatly we need a school to teach the power of praise!
Yet seasoned soldiers, in this world's armed forces, frequently
brag, or boast, about their military commanders or leaders.
Even though it is more fiction than fact, genuine
boasting (praising) can only be produced as a result of 'knowing' someone, on a personal level.
As 'seasoned’ or experienced Christians, it is part of
our stealth bomber for offensive action against the forces of darkness, evil and unreasonable men. Other
than prayer, there is nothing on earth that Satan and his cohorts fear as true
praise.
They do not know how to cope, because praise is usually
offered as a confirmation of GOD's power to intervene miraculously before it
actually occurs - 2 Chronicles 20: 21,22.
Praise is the nemesis. Evil cannot triumph over a
praising Christian.
There are 3 levels of praise:
One: To our Commander-in-Chief - JEHOVAH
Two: For what He has already
done,
Three: For what He can still
do, according to His will.
From praise power flow these five distinct blessings to
those doing the praising:
1) It refreshes
and rejuvenates our strength. Praise brings inner renewal and reminds us of
whom is really in charge. Worry leaves, it also drives out frustration, stress,
and depression. Praising GOD is like receiving a heavenly transfusion. It
strengthens our faith and trust.
2) It clears and
sharpens our physical and spiritual vision - The devil and his evil angels
delight in darkening everything with gloom and doom; making difficulties into
impossibilities, and molehills into mountains. They will try to make themselves
seem to you bigger, much wiser, and stronger than they really are.
But heavenly light pierces their black shroud when
Christians start boasting and bragging...praising their Commander-in-Chief. Not
only that, but it lifts us above the battle and lets us see things from GOD's
perspective.
3) Praise cleanses
us of self. It reminds us Christians that we are not the ones who win this
war. Self, or our wants, desires, attitudes, etc...cancels the power of prayer
and praise. Jesus said " without Me you can do nothing." - John
15:5. Paul said "I can do all
things through CHRIST who strengthens
me." - Philippians 4:13.
4) Praise supplies
power to our intercessions. It brings heaven's heavy artillery into action,
and prepares the way for speedy answers. Heaven is very near when we start
praising our heavenly Commander-in-Chief. "But Thou art holy, O Thou that
inhabitest the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3. Our GOD actually resides,
or lives, in our praises.
5) Praise is more
effective in our spiritual warfare than the atom bomb is in a military
offensive. Praise releases GOD's power. "An important step in the act
of praising God is to take our eyes off the threatening circumstances and look
to God instead.
We are not to be blind to the very real threats of evil in
our lives; but we are not to be coward or preoccupied with the appearance of
evil around us. Praise brings our Commander-in-Chief's presence, His power and
His heavenly forces to our aid.
But what is praise? Is it just saying the words
"Praise the LORD!" or "Praise GOD!" Are there other words
to it?
The best way of explanation is through an illustration
below:
"Oh,
Dad, you are the greatest dad in the entire world!" squealed a sixteen-year-old
girl.
"You knew exactly what my car needed to look smart.
You are so wise
and knowledgeable, and so understanding of me."
The
girl tagged along as her dad added a couple extra little swirls to the stripes
he'd put on her car.
"Oh! Dad, you are the best" the girl hugged him.
"Aren't you?" she wasn't expecting an answer; she'd already
experienced his expertise.
The
girl wasn't just thanking her father for his abilities to spruce up her car;
she was praising him for what he was in her estimate.
She knew her father well.
Praise is seeing the One we love doing what He does, and
exclaiming: "Oh, Father, You know how to do everything; You are the
greatest and the best".
This is what Jehoshaphat did in 2nd Chronicles 20:6
he began
his prayer with...
"...O LORD GOD of our fathers, art not Thou GOD in
heaven? and rulest Thou not over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine
hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee? Art
Thou not our GOD...?"
So, if you are a Christian, begin to praise God today and
everyday.
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