God gave the Prodigal son a new robe, but we run around in those old terry cloth robes from our past just because the robes are comfortable. The new garment God gave us is a garment of praise. But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; Luke 15:22
and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3
It’s easy to praise God when you are in the land of Pleasantville. When all hell breaks loose in your life, i.e. the kids are sick with a high temperature and they are vomiting all over the bathroom floor, when you teens are rebellious and they get in alcohol and drugs, you lost your job, lost your dog, lost your house, lost your spouse, will you look up into heaven and praise the Lord?
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 113:3
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habbakkuk 3:1718
When you have an impossible victory do you usually send your praise and worship team in front of the army? 2 Chronicles 20:21. Usually not, just like you don’t send a small shepherd boy to defeat an over 9’ feet tall giant with just a slingshot. Obviously, the children of Israel did not have conventional military did they? Did Gideon have a conventional military in choosing only 100 men with lanterns they broke saying, “The sword for the Lord and the sword for Gideon?” Judges 7:20-21. Was it conventional army for them to march seven times around Jericho and blow trumpets and shout and the walls of Jericho fell down? Hebrews 11:30. Apparently, God is not into numbers or conventional armies in order to gain a victory in life. Our military is there to protect us, but the Bible warns that “unless God watches over a city” we will not be protected and I think the World Trade Center we can’t count on conventional protection at times.
David recognized that he was coming against the uncircumcised Philistine who had no covenant with God, and also he was coming in the name of God, like we have the name of Jesus Christ:
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.1 Samuel 17:45 ….(Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6)
Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 1 Samuel 17:36
Even if we consider ourselves a zero in life, God + 0 is still God! (What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31). At many times in my life, it became a “sacrifice of praise” to worship God and sing at church. It definitely was not something, I felt like doing.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 1 Peter 2:5
Now I say, “Heavenly Father, I trust you that you are going to turn bad things around for my good although it does not feel like it’s good, it does not look like it is good, my life looks very bleak and my soul is sick right now (Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12) but I’m going to trust you that you work everything in my life can be turned for my good, because I love you and I am called according to your purpose.” It’s what I am praying like David, “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
Do you think Joseph saw much goodness in being thrown in a pit and sold in slavery and later in jail? But he ended up saving his family from starvation, Egypt and its surrounding countries? What was meant for evil in our lives, God can turn it around for good.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Most of God’s people will never experience the true victory in Jesus (there is victory in Jesus) with 2-3 song service. When I go to church it takes me more than 2-3 songs just to get out of the “Oh I like her outfit,” “I wonder where the singles are going out to eat after church,” “I got to remember to pay that bill on Monday.” My mind is busy like Martha and it takes more than 2 or 3 songs to enter into God’s presence and get my mind still. I asked a charismatic pastor about his short 2-3 song service at a church and he said that they expect people to worship God at home.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, Psalm 149:6
I would like to take a poll on how regularly do you worship God in your house? Every day? Once a week do you put on CD’s and praise and worship God for one hour? I worship God to and from work and I pick up my guitar and worship God periodicially. That is probably more than a lot of Christians. This is outside of praying and reading my Bible. Praise is a key to victory in those impossible battles in life. It says that God lives (dwells) in the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). Satan was the anointed cherub who was the choir director in heaven so his attacks are especially hard on those with music gifts to shut them up. He wants glory and does not want any praise and glory going to God. David was called on by Saul when he was tormented to play and it drove the evil spirits from him.
David said, “bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless is holy name. Psalm 103:1” Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (the greatest commandment) Luke 10:27, is entering into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)
How can I love God with all my mind if I can’t get my mind quieted long enough to praise and worship the Lord?
Jesus talked about how God perfects strength through babes who praise him:
And said to him, Hear you what these say? And Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise? Matthew 21:16
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2
Songs of the Flock: Lamb
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