In review, the first five blessings of praise were:
- Praise puts us in a position to experience and enter into the promises of God.
- God inhabits the praises of His people; He shows up and makes Himself known in their praises.
- Praise becomes a spiritual weapon in tearing down strongholds.
- Praise creates panic and total confusion among satan and his ranks.
- Praise aligns us and enables us to join with heaven in praise to Him!
Sixth, Praise is evangelistic. Sometimes it is the gospel set to song. But more than that, Scripture indicates that when God's people praise; "many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord" (Ps. 40:3). This is one of my favorite verses. People who have been redeemed and know that Christ is able to save have much to praise about. In Psalm 40 it says that God puts a song of praise in my mouth. Jesus is our ultimate worship leader. Also as I have noted in previous blogs, it goes on to say that many will SEE. Praise is a song, but it is more than a song. If people see our praise and our passion for Christ expressed they will be saved. Praise demands a response when seen and heard. The "seeker movement" in our churches needs to realize that the lost are not offended by the presence of God; they are convicted and saved in the presence of God. If we lack relevance it is because the presence of God is absent. Where praise is happening God is in the house, and people get saved. Praise is a powerful tool of evangelism!
Seventh, Praise is a tool for the purpose of teaching. Colossians 3:16 commands, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord." Much of the Scripture I know from my childhood and as a teenager and adult is the Word of God that I have sung. Music is a powerful memory tool. Our brains remember what we put to music. Calvin and Luther used music to teach theology. Some claim that 80% of church attendees learn theology, not by sermons they hear, but by the songs they sing. The hymns of the faith teach God's ways. We should make sure that what we are singing is scripturally sound and rich in teaching the Word. Praise teaches the Word, the ways of God and who God is. Song assists us in dwelling in His Word, allowing His word to be at home in our hearts. Teach us O Lord, as we praise! mjm
