Sing Praises Unto God
Focus: Psalms 9:1-2 - KJV
1. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Acts 16:22-30
There is a great power and effectiveness in praising God that many do not realize and lose out on. Praising God is a heart affair and not just singing and jumping. That is why Christ says those who do worship God must do so in Spirit and in truth. There are supposed praises that are mere noise in the realm of the Spirit and therefore amount to nothing. True praise emanates from the heart and the one who engages his heart discountenances the surrounding circumstances he is faced with. That is why it is written that in all things we should give thanks. Some pretend to praise God while in their hearts rather than glorify God for His marvelous works, they are full of grumblings about why the Lord has not done their bidden as if God is their tool to fulfilling their several lusts. When we come to the place of praise, we must believe God is and cannot be trampled upon. Hence, our hearts ought to merry in the place of praise no matter the circumstance. When Paul and Silas were thrown into the gaol, they did not condemn God in their hearts to say where was God while they were being arrested after all they were about God’s work when it happened. They rather gladly praised Him and the result was great. Earthquake in prison; chains fell off; captors became subsumed; many more wanted to serve their God.
What is the content of your praise to God that make it appear ineffectual? The Lord wants us to consciously praise Him from our hearts while throwing aside every weight or burden that may want to clog our hearts from praising Him effectively, and see what praise can achieve in an instant. The great attribute of David that endeared him to God was arguably praise. He praised God from the heart. No wonder God testified of him as being a man after His own heart. Can you also praise God heartily? When you do, the prison chains and walls that appear an impediment will surely fall off.
SOLUTION: Put every distraction aside; set your heart upon the Lord and give Him quality praise in worship today. Let nothing distract you from the period you set and you will see the glory of God. Never mind if it appears your voice is not so sweet or key compliant. God understands. Just praise Him.
Father, as we praise your name this day with our whole hearts, please accept our praises in Jesus’ name. By this acceptance, like you did for Paul and Silas, let every chain of restriction and bars of iron be destroyed over our lives today in the name of Jesus Christ. Please Lord, let everyone that had been our oppressors before now come bowing to us in Jesus’ name. And through us, let many more be added to your Kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ.
