Over and over, as fast as she could, she repeated the phrase, “Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus . . .”. Each time a crisis arose this was her response. One still stands out in my mind. Her daughter called and said she had been in a fender bender. You would have though the Intensive Care Unit had called. Immediately, she started, “Praise you Jesus . . .” as she and her husband raced to the scene. The daughter only required a Band-Aid. Don’t stop reading. I’m not mocking this person or belittling the use of Jesus’ name, but this individual illustrates a misconception about praise that Christians can have. True praise is a powerful tool against our enemy, but we must understand what it involves. Praise is not a mantra of biblical words or chanting the name of Jesus.
Scripture records several examples of power through praise. One of the most notable occurred when King Jehoshaphat found himself facing a battle he knew was beyond Judah’s military skills. Their enemies from Moab, Ammon, and Edom formed a coalition because of their mutual desire to destroy the tiny nation. Of course, Jehoshaphat was afraid. He turned his attention to seek the Lord. God spoke through Jahaziel and told the King ‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem’ (2 Chron. 20:17). Jehoshaphat embraced this word and the next day he implemented an unheard-of military strategy. He put the choir ahead of the army. If the battle was the Lord’s, then they were going to show their faith by singing and praising God. So, they marched and sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (v21).
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah (v22 NIV). Can you image what was going through the minds of Judah’s enemies? “Why is Judah singing and praising their God?” These three nations who already didn’t trust one another must have been thinking “I bet Edom has betrayed us.” “Maybe, Ammon has conspired with Jehoshaphat.” Confusion arose and resulted in them destroying each other. The lesson here, praise confuses the enemy. No trust exists with Satan’s armies. Praising God when the devil and demons attack will confuse them. When they see us expressing fear, defeat, worry, panic, etc., they know they are succeeding. So, like Jehoshaphat, we should embrace God’s Word and all its promises and praise the Lord.
Note several lessons about praise. Praise always focuses on God—who He is, His character, His attributes, His greatness. The word simply means to acknowledge His character and works, to commend, to applaud or magnify Him. Years ago a book became popular that taught believers should praise God for their situation. “Praise God, I have a flat-tire.” “Praise God I have cancer.” That’s even more ridiculous as I think back on those who practiced this unbiblical teaching. Judah didn’t praise God that Moab, Ammon, and Edom had come to destroy them. They didn’t even praise God for victory. They praised the person of God for His characteristic of everlasting lovingkindness. Praise turns our attention off ourselves and our problems so we focus on the Lord. Praising God shows we are trusting Him for whatever happens. Habakkuk declared even if all the crops fail and he losses all his livestock, I’m singing joyful praise to God (3:18 MSG).
Jesus distinguishes between true praise and false praise. True praise flows out of the heart. For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart (Mat 12:34). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders; This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me (Matt 15:8). Praise should never drift into a ritual we do on Sunday morning or when trouble arises. Beyond singing and raising our hands, praise must become a lifestyle by living a life according to His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. All the expressions of our being should praise the Lord. True praise happens through a relationship with Christ.
“I don’t feel like praising Him.” Ok, we all feel that way at times but negative emotions result from our circumstances. Praise moves us beyond the problems because praise means to acknowledge His character and works regardless of circumstances. Hebrew says it may be a sacrifice to do so. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God (Heb 13:15). The name of Jesus and praise must not become merely a mantra of biblical words.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Ps 100:4 NIV).