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"The
Symphony of Praise" |
Survival Skills - Finding God's Address!
Have you ever wondered, "Where are you God?" During the past two years,
my wife and I have both been hit by very difficult health circumstances. What
do you do during times like this? You go back and make sure your foundation is
sure. You revisit basic principles and plant your feet right there. One of
these basics in God's book is the value of PRAISE! Let's revisit our tool chest
together. Let's pick up one of these priceless tools to use as survival skills
for these days of battle. Let's praise the Lord!
Did you know that God has an address? Have you ever wondered where God dwells?
Psalm 22:3 tells us, "Thou who art enthroned on the praises of
According
to Daniel 7:9, Daniel kept looking until "thrones" were set up. This
is not one singular "throne" - it is plural. God is a jealous,
territorial God, and He wants to extend His rule over our lives, families,
congregations, cities, regions, and nations. When we radically "praise the
Lord," we clear out a territorial position in the sphere of our authority
from which His manifested rule extends! Psalm 106:47 says that we are to
"triumph (or glory) in His praise." This Hebrew word for triumph
means an ecstatic shout of victory over a defeated foe. Let's line up with
God's word - as believers in Jesus - we are on the winning side!
The Symphoneo of Praise
I love a good orchestra or symphony. Each instrument has its own unique sound
it makes. Each instrument must follow the conductor and the score for the sound
to be what the composer intended. Each instrument submits its talent for the
right "sound" to come forth. The Score is the Word of God. The
Conductor is the Holy Spirit and the Composer is Jesus! So it is in The
Symphony of Praise.
Matthew
18:19-20 gives us insight into this symphony through the phrase "where two
or three agree together." The New Testament Greek word for agree is "symphoneo." We are called to walk in the opposite
spirit of competition and exaltation of ego, or tooting our own horn. We are
called to complement and cooperate together as one giant symphony to exalt His
name together. Psalm 67:5-7 exhorts us, "Let the nations praise you!"
We are on the verge of experiencing the convergence of the sounds of the many
tribes of earth being joined by the sounds of the many tribes of heaven. Let
the Symphoneo begin!
Eight Scriptural Facts About Praise
1. Praise is the Place of God's Residence - According to Psalm 22:3, God
is holy and cannot dwell in an unholy place. Praise sanctifies the atmosphere!
2. Praise is the Way into God's Presence - Psalms 100:4 tells us the way
into God's presence is by praise and thanksgiving. Isaiah 60:18 tells us the
entrance into the city of the Lord is through the "Gate called
Praise."
3. The Purpose of God Blessing Us - God intervened in David's situation
so that his tongue could be suited to praise Him (Psalms 30:11-12, Acts 2:26).
The term "my glory rejoices" in Psalm 16:9 refers to the human
tongue.
4. Praise is a Garment of the Spirit - According to Isaiah 61:1-3,
through the divine exchange, we are released from the spirit of heaviness as we
put on the garment of praise. So, to some degree, our deliverance depends upon
our actions of obeying God's command to PRAISE!
5. Praise as a Spiritual Weapon - God has ordained praise as a weapon to
silence our enemies (Matthew 21:16). Our mouths can be used as launching pads
to release mighty spiritual weapons.
6. Faith is Released through Praise! - Praise
is a child-like _expression of faith in a world where complicated minds tend to
over-analyze circumstances. Praise moves us out of human and into the divine.
7. Praise is the Way into Christ's Victory! - Psalm 106:47: God's
intervention on behalf of his people is designed to bring forth praise and
glory to His name. Colossians 2:15: Then we are able to triumph with Christ.
Jesus always leads us into victory!
8. Praise is a Sacrifice Worth Giving - According to Jeremiah 33:11, a
sacrifice costs us something. We do not necessarily praise because we feel like
it, but rather because of what God has already done for us. Praise is the voice
of the earthly bride offering "a thank offering" to her heavenly
bridegroom. Let's release the sacrifice of praise wherever we go and change the
spiritual climate!
Confirming Voices - Notable Quotes
"This oft quoted statement from Psalm 22:3 deserves our greatest
understanding, since the implications of the yawshah
(Hebrew word of inhabited - KJV) are dramatic. Though the basic idea of the word
is to sit down when the King of the universe is the subject, it is apparently
translated 'enthroned.' This truth responds to every generation. Praise creates
a dwelling place for God in man's present situation." - Jack Hayford
"The Holy Spirit is orchestrating a global strategy far eclipsing any
other prayer movement in history. This movement will be comprised of many
diverse models of streams within the body of Christ. This many-faceted prayer
and praise movement will result in an unprecedented Harvest of souls and the
completing of the Great Commission. It will become common to hear 'intercessory
worship' minstrels that continue non-stop for 24 hours a day." - Mike Bickle
"Missions are not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Worship is
the fuel and goal in missions. It's the goal of missions, because in missions,
we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God's glory.
The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.
Missions begin and end in worship." - John Piper
"We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God. Revival is a
sudden bestowment of a spirit of worship upon God's people." - A. W. Tozer
Cultivating Your Own Harp and Bowl Atmosphere
When we create an atmospheric culture of intercessory
worship and praise, it does the following:
1)
Enthrones God; 2) Encounters God; 3) Enlarges God; 4) Enjoys God; 5) Enlists
God; 6) Excites God; and 7) Exalts God.
Songs
of Breakthrough are right in our mouths - release them! These New Songs are: 1)
New Songs of the Spirit; 2) Songs of Enthronement; 3) Songs of the Harvest; 4)
Songs of Prophetic Declaration and Intercession; and 5) Songs of Victory and
Deliverance!
Like
Jonah of old, join Michal Ann and I
in the belly of many uncertain circumstances, and let's praise and thank the
LORD together. Deliverance is on the way, and we might just get tossed up on
the shore of our next divine assignment!
Blessings to each of you!
by James W. Goll
Ministry to the Nations