Discover the Power of Praise

{Daily Selah}

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph (Psalm 47:1). 


Spiritual warfare is not a topic that makes it into the Daily Selah often but since we are in the battle every day, perhaps I should write on it more.

Christian music artist Kari Jobe has some thoughts on spiritual warfare I found rather interesting. The "about" page of her website relates the following:

"I have such a desire to go to war for people’s lives and to help them overcome the enemy through their worship and through their declarations of who He is. It’s astounding how many people just don’t live in the complete authority that we have over the enemy. He doesn't have any power unless we give it to him.” 

Please scroll back up and read those words carefully. Take a moment to digest the implications. When I read those words a few days ago, I had to ponder the message there for a while too. 

The concept of overcoming the enemy though our declarations of who God is and through our worship of Him may sound a bit "out there" but let's take a look at what God says in His Word for a moment.

The word praise is mentioned in Scripture 259 times, worship 188 times and the words declare, testify, testimony, and proclaim appear a total of 283 times. After tallying all those numbers, I didn't think it was necessary to check the frequency of other words such as exalt or glorify. But, obviously, God places a great deal of importance on all of these activities that lift His Name on high. 

Psalm 29:2 says, Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. It does not say, "Well, praise the Lord when you feel like it and you only have to worship Him on Sundays." That verse contains 2 commands: give God glory and worship Him.

You may be thinking, "Yes, but what does all of that have to do with warfare and victory?"  Don't worry. We're getting there.

Remember Jericho? It was the power of praise that won the victory against that city. Before you say, "What?!" please keep reading. The city of Jericho presented an obstacle in the path of the children of Israel who were on their way to taking possession of God's promises.

For 6 days, following God's command, the people marched around the city. Seven priests were at the front of the procession, blowing their shofars (trumpets, made from ram's horn). What sound they made is not recorded. It may have been a battle call or a specific sound to gather the people for worship. The Ark of the Covenant came next. The Ark was a reminder of the power, presence and promises of the God who loved them. The people walked in silence around the city, behind the priests and the Ark, just as God had commanded. 

The 7th day was just a little different... 

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city (Joshua 6:15-16). 

What do you think they shouted? I doubt they were hollering a simple, "Woo-hoo!"  Several of the psalms speak of shouting for joy but one in particular speaks of victory. Psalm 47:1 says, "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."

Shouting to God is not the same as shouting at someone. Shouting to God is about declaring who He is and what He has done. For example, the people marching around Jericho may have shouted to God something like, "Hallelujah! You, O God, have given the victory! We praise Your high and holy Name forever!"

God had indeed won the victory that day, through the praises of an obedient people. And, that day, His people discovered the power of praise. 

Remember..

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

The power of praise is found in our obedience and our declaration of who God is and what He has done. Praise brings Him the glory due His Name and has a secondary benefit for us. Praise builds our faith and our ability to see God at work. 

For me personally, when life gets overwhelming, distressing or otherwise seems too much, my best weapon is praise. I'll turn on some good worship music and sing to the Lord. As I declare in song who He is and what He has done, it does my heart good. The doubts, fears and worries are replaced by joy and trust as I am reminded of the power, presence and promises of the God who loves me. 

Our enemy is the father of lies (John 8:44). He wants us to believe his lies so we will be ineffective, powerless and crippled in our Christian walk. The best way to combat his lies is by filling our minds with truth and praising the Name of the Lord, reminding ourselves of the power, presence and promises of the God who loves us. 

"O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (Psalm 47:1). 

Discover the power of praise. 



{Daily Selah} is a mini-devotional, a pause to ponder about the Lord and how He wants us to live.