The Positioning of Praise
Have you ever wondered why we start every service with praise? Praise is one way we relate to God and prepare our hearts to hear from Him. In church, praise is what allows you to not only hear from God while Pastor preaches but also internalize that message and allow it to change you. When you’re on your own, you might hear from God by reading your Bible or listening for His voice.
Praise is the fleshly expression of love and adoration for God. When you praise, you use your mouth and body to give honor and glory to the Lord over everything else!
Part of what I love about Champion Worship is that our mission is more than just to create songs people can sing in church. We want to help people experience breakthroughs and miracles through praise and worship. Breakthroughs come when you change the position of two beings; you and God.
1. Praise Positions You
Your relationship with God starts with your heart. In Mark 4, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. This parable describes what happens when seed reaches good ground and what happens when circumstances cause the plant to weaken and die. The good ground represents the hearts of people who are ready to receive the message of the gospel.
So how do you ensure that the soil of your heart is ready to receive what God wants to give you? You have to position your heart in a place of humility and dependence on God. Society will tell you that you need to be stronger and more independent. God’s wisdom says that you can’t do anything on your own. This level of humility is achieved through praise!
Praise gets our attention off ourselves, our situation, and our lives and puts it on God. Once your heart reflects this attitude, you will be prepared to receive from God.
2. Praise Positions God
Psalm 22:2 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. Whether you are alone or in church, you can be sure that when you open your mouth to declare His goodness and faithfulness, He is with you! When God is with you, you can feel the difference. His presence brings joy, and the joy of the Lord brings strength. Praise allows God to give you strength and fresh grace to do everything that He has called you to do!
As you change your heart and position yourself to receive the Word and encounter the presence of God, you will be in a position to see breakthroughs! In Acts 15 we see Paul and Silas trapped in prison for preaching the gospel. If anyone had a right to be sad or mopey, it would be these guys. They were just serving God and doing his will, yet they were facing this trail.
Still, they chose to praise. As they did, the whole jail shook and they were freed from their chains! Not only that, but they had the opportunity to share the gospel with the jailer and his entire family.
The same kind of power that freed Paul and Silas and allowed them to see more of God’s will and purpose for their life come to pass is available to you when you praise!
Whether you’re simply singing along with the radio on the way to work or cooking dinner, or in church with other believers, think about what you’re singing. Let the words remind you that God cares about you and is invested in your life and your purpose.
Be encouraged! He is the author of everything. He has never failed and He never will. As you do, you are going to see him bring breakthrough in your life.