Have you ever thought of praise as a weapon? When you choose to praise God you are turning your attention away from the enemy. You begin to focus your thoughts on the greatness and goodness of God. Psalms 149:6 “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.” Praise is part of our weaponry as Christians to deliver us from the devil’s oppression in our lives.
The Lord loves it when we praise Him! Praise is the key to our breakthrough and victory. It offsets depression and attacks from the enemy. The access route to the throne of God is through praise. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4) This is God’s instruction for entering into His presence.
In First Samuel 16:4 – David was called upon to minister deliverance to Saul who was greatly vexed by an evil spirit. How was David used by God to help Saul? By playing a harp! The harp was used as an instrument of praise in the Old Testament. Psalms 33:2 – “Praise the Lord with harp….. When David played the harp, the evil spirit left Saul!! I Samuel 16:23 — …David took a harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed and well, and the evil spirit departed from Him.” Glory to God!! As we praise and worship God, oppression has to flee! Many times I’ve praised God in the midst of life’s storms and it works!! When frustrations come, when trials come, when temptation comes, when struck with unexpected emergencies, begin to wield the weapon of praise — praise – praise!!
Why praise God when everything seems to be falling apart? Because — we serve a great God who never leaves us or forsakes us and is always ready to help us come out victoriously. God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3) Through praise, we are inviting the Lord’s presence into our situation and God can’t resist the sincere praises of His children!!
The enemy has many pits he wants to throw us into, but when we turn to God He delivers us out of them all! Psalm 40:2 – “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Following is a poem that will encourage you to PTLA (Praise the Lord Anyway) in the midst of life’s challenges.
PRAISE YOUR WAY OUT OF THE PIT!!
When Satan comes in with a hit, praise your way out of the pit!
When all you want to do is quit, praise your way out of the pit!
When your joy lamp is no longer lit, praise your way out of the pit!
When your kids are having a fit, praise your way out of the pit!
When depressed and you just want to sit, praise your way out of the pit!
When your body is hurting and sick, praise your way out of the pit!
When you sin, repent and admit – praise your way out of the pit!
