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PROGRAM D-7581
Have you ever wondered why it is important for us to praise God? We know that God is almighty and self-sufficient. Therefore, why would he want us to praise him? Could he possibly have a need for our praise?
We humans have a great need for recognition and reward. We need pats on the back, warm fuzzies, and attaboys. But does God? The question is ridiculous. I want you to know that God does not need our praise. Whether or not we praise him, he is God and he is complete and he does not need to be reminded nor does he need our affirmation. Yet he does desire our praise. Why?
Praising God is good for us—that’s why. There is great power available to us when we become truly consistent praising people.
Praise defeats Satan. Praise is a weapon we can use to defeat our enemy:
Psalm 8:2: From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
And Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praise of his people. This means that where there is praise and adoration of God, his presence is evident and very powerful. And his presence always makes Satan run the other way. Satan cannot abide the presence of the living God.
Do you feel like Satan has been defeating you on every hand lately? Is he robbing you of blessings and lying to you and stealing your peace? If so, my guess is you haven’t been praising God much lately. We often get into negative mode when the enemy of our soul is working against us, and that’s the exact opposite of what we should do. Then, more than any other time, you need to praise God, using words from your lips, out-loud so your ears have to hear. Start praising God; your enemy has to leave you alone while you’re praising God.
We have to be intentional about praising God. We have to offer sacrifices of praise—praising God when we don’t feel like it! We must learn how to use the weapon of praise against our enemy, and then we must take that weapon and use it. It does you no good otherwise.
Obviously, praise is not reserved for church services or quiet times. You and I can praise God anywhere, anytime. We can do it out loud or silently, as the situation dictates. We can praise through words or music or quoting scripture. Praise God, and you will silence your enemy.