Music is powerful. It can instantly establish both attitude and atmosphere in any setting - for good or bad.
For this reason, music has always been a primary part of the worship of God's people, for it not only invites in the very presence of God and His kingdom rule in our lives but it also provides us with a too of establishing an atmosphere of praise.
There is power in praise and song.
I trust that we all realize that we sing on Sunday mornings for a purpose. Our praise in song shatters the power of the enemy.
Second Chronicles 20 provides us with a great lesson the power of praise. Judah is confronted by it's mortal enemies, Moab and Ammon.
The people sought God in prayer and with faith in His Word (20:1-14). Then came the word of the prophet: "Do not be afraid...for the battle is not yours, but God's - verse 15).
The victory came in a strange but powerful manner. The Levites stood and praise, "The Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high - verse 19). Then some were actually appointed to sing to the Lord and praise Him in the beauty of holiness. These went before the army, saying, "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures (last) forever. Verse 21).
The result of this powerful praise was total victory.
Do you need victory today - sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord with song. Let your voice lift forth in a chorus of victorious praise to God!
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Praise is an act of your free will. When we come to God and confess our sin, our inconsistencies, our faithlessness, our desires to be better and our need for His intervention in our lives, these are all acts of the free will He gave us. Even when we don’t verbalize our repentance, our need or desire, but our thoughts are toward God and in the forefront of our minds, is an act of our free will. Then the Lord, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who knows all our thoughts, gives us grace and mercy. After our mental and spiritual cleansing, our hearts are able to recognize the peace that passes all understanding and our months should not be able to remain silent, expect through an act of free will. Many things are withheld because of lack of gratitude, for what the Lord has done and is doing for us on a continual basis. Corporate morning worship is so meaningful for me. To hear the voices of His people praise Him because of who He is. I believe at times like that, there is nothing that will be withheld from those in need if they will only through an act of their free will acknowledge the Lord for who He is.
Emily sang a song on Sunday that begins to say it all; "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free." I try to keep a song in my heart all day long...the song may change because of the circumstances I am walking through but all of them are reflective of the praise for God that I hold. At times, He is my Rock (Rock of Ages); at times, He is my salvation (At the Cross); at times, He is my friend (In the Garden); at times, He is my guide (Just a Closer Walk with Thee). You get the idea...in all things, in all times, in all circumstances, PRAISE GOD! Praise Him from whom all blessings flow...even when you're not sure that it is a blessing what you're walking through. It is...God takes bad things and makes good endings. Trust in Him, praise Him, love Him. The greatest reward you could ever have is for Him to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Better than diamonds and pearls, better than gold and silver, the approval of God in your life is the affirmation that you should seek. Praising Him is your way of showing Him that He comes first in your life...before anything of this world, God is supreme!
God is good, all the time...ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!
Love God, love people.
Jon
I like the way you word it Charlie, an act of free will. Some times we don’t feel like it, but we really can get the enemy to flee when we choose to praise and worship the Lord. I also like how you said “mouths should not be able to remain silent.” When we do get in an attitude of worship there are times we can no longer hold it in because the Joy of the Lord and his Holy Spirit begin to overwhelmingly invade our being. I know many wonder about speaking in tongues and the Biblical purpose for today, but there are times in worship I can’t speak in English if I tried because the Spirit of God is so present in our services. If people would make an act of their free will to worship the Lord God will always meet them where they are and one experience in the presence of God will change your life forever. It only takes one time! What a gift we have in the presence of the Lord and yet our praise should be to give, not receive. He is so faithful even when I am not!
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