Central Thought:
Praises to God bring down His blessings.
Text: Psalm 100, 150:1-6
Introduction:
To praise is to say or write good things about someone. It is to express thanks, love or respect for God. Praise commends, glorifies, exalts, celebrates, laud, worships or magnifies, especially by the attrition of perfections. God has awesome attributes which impact the lives of men on earth. He is the creator of man, who sent man into the world to emancipate and bear fruits. He watches over man and influences his life in diverse ways such as in protection, provision, promotion, preservation and salvation. He gives grace to those who please Him and these are those who honor Him with praises, Psalm 50:23. For man to get the best from God, he must praise Him, as a way of appreciating Him for His goodness. Even then, God has shown that He created man for His own glory, Isaiah 43:7. We should not forget that God is in everything that affects us to ensure that it ends in our good, Romans 8:28. Man is obligated, therefore, to habitually praise God. It is no surprise that David requested God to open his lips so that he could praise Him more and more, Psalm 51:15. Praising God should be expressive and demonstrable, which should easily evolve from how much God means to us.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know how we should praise God
- To emphasize when to praise the Lord.
- To examine instances from Scriptures of the Power of praises.
Bible Truth:
1. How should we praise God? Psalm 103:1-5
We should praise God expressively, honestly, faithfully and wholly. We must consider His personality and special works for us, which automatically draws soulful praise to Him. That was what Moses did for the victory at the Red sea and so was prompted to sign that “there is no god like the LORD GOD”, Exodus 15:11. It was so with Hannah such that, among others, she volunteered, “There is none holy like the LORD, there is none besides Him, and there is no rock like our God”, 1 Samuel 2:2. When we are gripped in such euphoric state, we let go of all things, including our problems, and then give quality praises to God. Indeed, if you prize your God highly; if you hold Him in high admiration, you can properly praise Him. We can do this praise in the following ways:
-Soulfully, Psalm 103:1: Praise should be activated form the spirit of the inner being of the individual.
-Wholeheartedly, Psalm 9:1: Praise should be done completely; sincerely; enthusiastically, and with determination. It should not be done doubtfully or in uncertainty.
-Gladly, 2 Chronicles 29:30: Praises should be done with Joy and gladness so that it can arouse the interest of the One being praised.
-Thankfully, Psalm 147:7: Praises should be given to God with thanksgiving. We must show gratitude by reflecting on the very purpose of the praise – the work that God did.
-With Musical Instruments, Psalm 150:3-5: We should accompany our praises with musical instruments; even our palms, to make it joyful. Psalm 47:1
-In Songs, Psalm 95:1-2: We should praise God in songs. Songs give expression to intention.
-In Offering, 1 Chronicles 16:29: It should involve a sacrifice, such as money, that attests honestly to our gratitude.
-In Worship, Revelation 4:9-10: It should be worship oriented and give reverence to God.
-in Fruit Bearing, John 15:8: When we make disciples of others and so bear fruit, we attest to our appreciation of the saving sacrifice in the death of Christ on the Cross, which is then not in vain. He died that much fruits would come, John 12:24, through us, Matthew 28:19-20.
-By Living a Consecrated Life, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: We should live in appreciation of the fact that we were purchased with the price of Christ’s blood. We should therefore glorify God in our body.
-By Declaring His Goodness and Doing Good Works, 1 Chronicles 6:12, 24: We should not forget to declare what good God has done for us. We should similarly draw praises from people to God by the good we do for them, Matthew 5:16
-By Spiritual Unity, Romans 15:1, 2, 5-6: We should live oneness as expected by the Lord Jesus, John 17:11, 21, and so glorify God together with one voice.
2. When can we praise God?
- 1.In the morning, Psalm 92:1-2
- In the midnight, Psalm 92:1-2
- Continually, Hebrews 13:15, with a sacrifice of our lips.
3. The power of praise. Examine some instances in the Scriptures.
Praise delights God and motivates Him to greater favorable action. Whenever man’s action falls in line with the will of God, success and victory are assured because it is impossible that God should lie or fail. For example:
a. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14:
When Solomon finished building the house of the Lord, he proceeded to remove the Ark of the Lord form the tent in Zion to the Temple. In his appreciation of the Lord he gave thanks with the offering of sacrifices, 2 Chronicles 5:6. Then praises were praises were raised with musical instruments and songs, which brought down the glory of God so mightily that the Priest could not minister again. Praise brought down the glory of God.
b. 2 Chronicles 20:21-23:
When faced with possible annihilation by three conspiring nations, and assured of God’s own involvement, king Jehoshaphat and all Israel began to thank and praise God such that He set an ambush against the three nations and so gave victory to Israel without a fight.
c. Acts 16:25-26:
Paul and Silas were unjustifiably assaulted and imprisoned in Philippi, they began to sing praises to the Lord rather than complain. Suddenly God responded with a great earthquake which shook the foundations of the prison and flung the prison doors open for their freedom.
d. Acts 16:33:
As a result of God’s action from the praise, the jailer and his household were instantly converted. It was a much unexpected breakthrough in evangelism.
Daily Living Application:
We should praise God by demonstrating it faithfully, honestly and wholly. A reflection on God’s goodness facilitates and draws praise from the soul. Praise is powerful because it delights God and motivates Him to act favorably. We may praise God anytime and anywhere. May our praise motivate God to respond favorably to our situations?
Let us now continue to build up ourselves in the act of praising God, regardless of our situation or circumstance and environment. Indeed, our God inhabits the praise of His people. Our wholehearted praises can bring down God’s glory in our meetings! Amen.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name!”