Attract the Presence of God
Friday, November 20
Attract the Presence of God
Imitate God, therefore in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Ephesians 5:1
There is power in our acknowledgement of God’s goodness through our praise. God’s Spirit urges us onward, to press in close to him. Doesn’t matter how good or “not so good” we feel like we can sing, doesn’t matter if we like upbeat worship, more reflective songs, or traditional hymns. Doesn’t matter if we’re alone, with a few, or in a big group. Doesn’t even matter whether we “feel” like it or not. What matters is this – our hearts in tune with our Creator and King. In the book of Joshua, it was clear the Israelites were in tune with the power that comes through praise. Joshua and the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho for 6 days. Following God’s orders, on the 7th day they marched 7 times; then they shouted and the walls fell down. The Israelites went in and conquered their enemy! The praise of the Israelites attracted the presence of God and His presence caused the walls to fall. Hallelujah!
Praise makes the enemy flee. It pushes back the darkness that surrounds, and blocks the attacks and hissing lies over us. Evil will not stick around if we’re praising our God, who will fight our battles for us. In the story of Jehoshaphat, we see God miraculously defeat the enemy, because of the people’s obedience to praise Him.
Again we read this in the book of 2 Chronicles 20 verse 22 “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated”
We have a choice every day in this life. To live absorbed in worry and stress or focus on praising God. Learning to use your voice in praise is essential to living a life of victory that Christ died to give us all. We have used our mouths, our words long enough to allow Satan access into our lives. It is time we, the people of God, stood up as Joshua and the Israelites did and praised a holy God.