The Lord inhabits the praises of His people
Can you imagine worshipping God after you’ve been whipped and shackled in prison? Or while facing a vast army who may crush you? Or after losing your entire family, livelihood, and physical health?
It’s hard to imagine but that’s exactly what God requires of us. And it’s exactly what Paul and Silas, Jehoshaphat, and Job all did.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25, NIV)
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.” (2 Chronicles 20:21, NIV)
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship. (Job 1:20, NIV)
My minister shared how God desires our worship in the good times and in the bad. Like Job, we may question God and wonder where He is in our dire situations but, also like Job, we should never give up on God.
She explained that our worship shifts the atmosphere. It’s the starting point through which God works. It shakes and displaces the enemy.
When we worship we ascribe worth to God. We can do this through reading the Psalms, playing worship music, acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus over our lives, and giving praise for victory we’re about to receive.
I remember when my husband was in the hospital due to internal bleeding. Not only was I not allowed to visit him because I had COVID but he was not allowed any visitors because he had COVID too. The stress of the unknown haunted me.
But I chose to worship instead of worry. And within an hour of my singing and praying, the hospital released my husband to recuperate at home.
Worship is a powerful weapon. My minister reminded me that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. And when we praise He shows up. When He shows up He acts.
What are you suffering from in your life today? Anxiety? Uncertainty? Discouragement? Illness? I suggest lifting these up to God in prayer and worshipping Him. Then wait and watch Him act.
You may also like What Does ‘God Inhabits Our Praises’ Mean?
Want to go deeper in your worship and walk with God? You’ll find this story—and many others that reveal the heart of true worship—in Prayer, Church & The Bible: Exploring Biblical Truths About True Worship, available on Amazon.