When I looked up scriptures for my last post it reminded me of something I read in “Are you ready for your Hea.ling?” from Dr Fr.ed Chi.lds. There is a part in his book that says: “Praise Leads the Way:
Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe.” If signs aren’t following you then something is missing, but if you believe in what God’s Word declares, then signs will ultimately follow.
We must not be impatient with God. God is not interested in our self-centred desires for instant results. He desires for each of us to seek His Will until we know it, and then patiently praise Him and persevere until He does what He has revealed. The best way to gain confidence in God is to praise Him until His promise is manifested. Then praise continues and a testimony arises because of what the Lord has done. This glorifies Him in the Earth.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV): “35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
The Will of God is to pray, fast and seek until the scales of carnality are removed and we can see what God wants us to see. Then in confidence we should praise Him. God dwells in the midst of His people, just as He came between the faces of the cherubs that praised Him in the Holy of Holies.
Matthew 18:18-20 (NIV): “18 I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
The two or three Jesus spoke of, are those who know God’s will and choose to praise Him until His glory is manifested. Unity and steadfast praise is a missing part of the church today, yet it is a fulfilment of Prophecy found in Zechariah.”
Zechariah 2:10 (NIV): “10 Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the LORD.”
If you are not sure how to praise God you can always look to the Bible for inspiration. Here are some examples:
Psalm 145:3 (NIV): “3Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom.”
Psalm 96:4-6 (NIV): “4For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”
Psalm 66:1-4 (NIV): “1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! 3 Say to God, How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.”
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV): “3 And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Psalm 57:9-11 (NIV): “9I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psalm 150:2 (NIV): “2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.”
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV): “1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvellous things, things planned long ago.”
Psalm 40:1-4 (NIV): “1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
Psalm 106:1-5 (NIV): “1 Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? 3 Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. 4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favour to your people, come to my aid when you save them, 5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.”
Here is one that is totally appropriate for us who all long for a child of our own. Hannah’s prayer of praise when she eventually got her child that she so longed for: 1 Samuel 2:1-5 (NIV): “1 Then Hannah prayed and said: My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 2There is no-one holy like the LORD; there is no-one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 4The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.”
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