By Sidharth Mohandas
In the Kingdom, unlike the democratic system, you and I don’t vote Abba into power, He is the King whether you like it or not. However, there is one thing you and I can do, and that is to offer Him a throne. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 22:3 that He is enthroned upon our praises. In other words, a refusal to praise Him, is a refusal to offer His rightful throne.
We will be dealing with the topic of Praise in an upcoming series. However, in this article, I’d like to help you see praise from a Kingdom Perspective. Praising God frustrates Satan and his kingdom. It thwarts Satan’s primary goal of drawing worship for Himself (Isaiah 14:13-14).
In II Chronicles 20, we can see this principle demonstrated. A vast army comprising of three nations were coming against Judah. There was no way Judah could win this war by themselves. What did Judah do in this horrible circumstance? Fight back? Surrender, in hope of being shown mercy?
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.” (II Chronicles 20:21).
What a strange response! Instead of fighting or surrendering, King Jehoshaphat appoints men to sing and praise God! The result?
As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further confused, they went at each other, and all ended up killed. (II Chronicles 20:22-23)
Seeing Judah shout and praise, the men from Ammon, Moab and Seir got confused as to who they were actually fighting against, and they ended up killing each other!
I never get tired of this incident! Paul and Silas were accused of preaching without a Roman citizenship. They were beaten black-and-blue, and put on stocks in the innermost cell of the jail. But their response was to pray and sing hymns to God (Acts 16:22-25), rather than blaming God and questioning Him. As they praised God, suddenly there came a violent earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. Do you know, it is this incident that led to the salvation of the jailor and his household, and hence the birth of the Church at Philippi?!
As you can see in the above incidents, praise opens doors for God’s miraculous intervention. It dethrones our adversary and enthrones our King! Will you offer God a throne of praise today?
Excellent article Sid! Let this bless all who reads! I am taken back to the day when I was giving my GRE exam. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t sleep the night before the exam day. I only remember praising Him throughout the night and even more fervently during the exam!!! ‘coz I knew I lost it all. My flesh said “cancel the exam”! However, praise God I decided to complete it, praising God all the way to the last second. I almost screamed when I saw my score. It was 1590/1600. Praise Him ! All glory to Him!What else should I say?
Wow, thats an awesome testimony, Jolly! =)
–Sid
Sure is, Jolly.
I went back and read Psalm 22 in its entirety. What a potent picture it is of the suffering Christ. Yes, He acknowledged the grave state He was in, but that quickly turned to praise, honor, and reverence to God the Father. He is the perfect example.
Praise Him! o/ o/ o/
I remember the time when I was put in jail in the Gulf for taking water baptism. I was hurt, confused etc… As I entered the cell, I told the Lord, “Your Word said that your children will not be put to shame so why am I here for obeying your Word”. Then I heard the Lord say, “Praise me”. Immediately my mind raced to Paul and Silas praising God in the prison and the doors flying open so I thought the same would happen to me. I knelt down and started praising the Lord from the depth of my heart and for quiet some time. After I finished, I turned around and saw the 3 other inmates weeping due the the presence of God in that cell. I was led to ask them if they knew Jesus but they did not understand English, I grew frustrated with my efforts but since the Lord was impressing me to share with them, I told Him that I would open my mouth and He should speak to them and make them understand and so I began speaking in tongues, when I finished to my surprise they spoke to me in English and told me that they wanted to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Amazing isn’t it. The 3 women accepted the Lord and immediately one got healed (she had fractured her leg) and the other a Hindu got a vision of Jesus Himself, the third felt immense peace in her heart.
-Posted for Christina
Wonderful. I love the fact that my mind gets renewed too as I focus on Him!
He is worthy to be lifted up! Give Him the HIGHEST praise!
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. (Psalm 22:27)
One day all will bow to the Lord. Today, while free to choose who I will serve and give my praise, I bow to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords: Christ Jesus. All glory and honor to the King.
peace & grace in Christ,
brad
Christiina, thank you for your wonderful, powerful testimony, it has greatly encouraged me to press on with my walk with my Heavenly Father. I am so glad that I did not miss your testimony as I usually do not read all comments. May God continue to richly bless you.
Carole