THE STRATEGY OF PRAISE
THE STRATEGY OF PRAISE
The story was told of a woman who felt unloved in her marriage and even after bearing three male children for her husband the situation did not change. Well actually, her husband had taken a second wife whom he loved very deeply and much more than the woman in question despite the fact that the second wife was barren .It was the case really that the second wife was actually the man’s first choice but the man had been unable to marry her first. (For some strange reasons.) A very complicated and bizarre account!
Anyway God was again faithful to the first wife and she gave birth to yet another son and decided to name him “JUDAH” which means “Praise (the Lord)” seeing that the birth of the previous sons did absolutely nothing to win her husbands heart. This is the story of Leah in the bible. (Genesis 29.) Though it was later recorded that Leah gave birth to more children (and so did her once barren co-wife,Rachel) Leah realised that praising God was the strategy needed to mend a heart broken from unrequited love.
Praising God is just about the answer to everything. No matter what it is. Yes! Even a broken heart.
We are told in Psalms 22:3 NLT “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
and Psalms 114:2 AMP “Judah( Praise) became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion.”
In the above scriptures it is clear that God comes down to dwell and reside in praises. (This fact can never be over emphasised.) However on the other hand, prayer goes up to God like incense. .“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:4 KJV
Now please be aware that all kinds of obstacles can hinder our prayers from getting to heaven or prevent the answers from getting to us as seen in the case of Daniel. “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince[c] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.” Daniel 10:12-13 NLT
Be assured of one thing , NOTHING can ever block God from coming down to reside with one who praises him in spirit and in truth.
The children of Israel understood this strategy of praising God first and they used it several times to sail through to victory. Before going to battle they asked God who should go up front “And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.” Judges 1:2 KJV. With praise also comes deliverance.
King Jehoshaphat understood this praise strategy too and before he went to battle, he appointed singers to go ahead of the army to begin praising God and the beauty of holiness. “And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” 2 Chronicles 20:22 KJV
The prophet Ezra was also kinda privy to this strategy. Even before the foundation of the temple was laid, they offered burnt offerings to the Lord and when the foundation was laid they began to offer serious praises.
“And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.” Ezra 3:11 KJV
And wouldn’t you just know it, “The Temple was completed on March 12,[a] during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.” Ezra 6:15 NLT
Paul and Silas were not left out. They began to praise God at midnight and God came down to break their chains and let them go free. Acts 16:25-26
Whenever we begin to praise God, he comes right down to make a home. And once He gets here, demons tremble, darkness disappears, safety is assured, peace fills the heart, storms are stilled. This is why I said earlier that praising God is the answer to all challenges. Praise brings God into the situation and WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Master the strategy of praise.!!!
Oluyinka Ego-Martins ©
N/B I have used praise and Judah interchangeably as they mean the same thing.