Psalms 147:1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
20 “Praise ye the Lord.”
When the Psalmist David says in the above passage that praise is comely, he isn’t only saying that praise to God is the right thing to do. He is also referring to praise as an integral part of the Christian’s armor, for it is one of the main components necessary to gaining the victory.
Especially is this the case when the Christian is in a head-on collision course with the forces of darkness as the Remnant people of God are going to realize more and more.
As it stands currently, there’s a very strong demonic presence across the land, and those who comprise the remnant are to be much more vigilant, than in former years.
In other words, it’s not business as usual, because we have now turned a definite corner in our earthly experience, and as such, there are some necessary adjustments and fine tuning to be made, in order to withstand the influx of attacks that will be coming in from all different directions.
As we go about our daily duties, working and paying bills, we might sometimes lose sight of the fact that the Christian is in a war, with invisible foes who are determined to make the commandment keeping people of God the object of their ire.
This is plainly stated in the Scriptures, not to scare anyone into retreating, but to make us aware of the real to life challenges we will confront, even as we seek to serve The God of heaven, in an increasingly hostile environment. Let’s read:
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Therefore, the issue of praising God would have to be understood both in the context of thanksgiving, as well as in the context of serious conflict which is scheduled to ramp up significantly in the very near future.
In other words, it is one thing to praise God when things are going smoothly, when there are mountain top experiences to gladden the heart, but when we are down in the valley, when the going gets rough, it is another thing to praise God at such times.
Therefore, it is necessary upfront to understand the issue of praise, how it affects God, how it affects the devil and how it affects the Christian who decides to praise God anyway, whether in the valley, or upon the mountain.
The study of the Bible includes a study of patterns, where line upon line and precept upon precept can bring us to correct conclusions so that our feet may be guided by the will of God. Thus, in the following examples we are just going to observe the effect of praise, in times of conflict.
In this first example, the people of God are facing an existential threat from the Midianites, and God calls Gideon to be the agent through whom He will work to bring deliverance in a signal manner. At such a time as this, when the outlook for victory looks bleak to the finite mind, Gideon is directed to praise The Lord.
Thus, in harmony with the rules of spiritual warfare, he grabs his trumpet, and he and his 300 men begin to play music and sing praises to God. Pay very close attention to what happens next. Let’s read:
Judges 7:17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow you the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.
19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.
20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.
21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.
22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
The same thing is observed when Joshua is directed by God to use praise as a weapon of war. Battles are not won by might, and power, but by obeying God, praying to God and praising Him sincerely, especially in situations where things seem dire.
Like Gideon, the Hebrew priests grab their trumpets and it was when they blew their horns, and shouted the praises of The Lord, that God went to work for them, and the massive walls of Jericho were shaken down suddenly by a mighty earthquake. Let’s read:
Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Here it is again, the same pattern being repeated in the context of conflict, emergency, and difficulty, for it appears as if God gets going when your praises to Him are offered especially when the outlook is grim.
The Hebrews are again in dire straits, as the enemy surrounds them, bent on their destruction, and in the midst of their adversity, they do what you and I should always do, when facing trials of no ordinary sort. Observe carefully the same pattern happening over and over again. Let’s read:
2nd Chronicles 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endures forever.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
One more example, as we observe praises to God in the context of facing adversity and danger. Let’s just say here that the natural thing for the human agent to do in times like these, is to feel downtrodden and forsaken.
But God is definitely teaching us that it is when the storm clouds have gathered about the Christian and it might seem as if the enemy will triumph, that we should look to the hills from whence comes our help and praise Him anyway. Let’s read:
Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed.
Therefore, it becomes apparent that praising God in times of danger and difficulty is the modus operandi for the Christian to follow, because the blueprints are there before us, so that we may know what to do.
Giving God praise, especially when we are facing an adverse situation has the effect of not only changing mood, it has been proven to have healing effects on the mind as well as the physical body and the frayed nerves can also find rest.
As we call to mind God’s goodness towards us in the sunniest days of our experience, and as we recall His deliverances in times past, let praise to Him ascend, for doing so can greatly lessen the suffering, and the anxiety that persons may be experiencing.
This piece of information is of critical importance, especially as we are reminded of the spiritual nature of the warfare. In other words, whenever the issue is spiritual, the interventions must include spiritual remedies, in conjunction with other pertinent cures.
The following example demonstrates the positive effects that praise can have on persons, for it has to do with not merely man, but with Lucifer himself, as he was facing his deep internal crisis and conflicts in heaven.
As he struggled back and forth with his own issues, it was observed that very great changes in his mood would occur, as the choirs in heaven began to sing. And he, being the choir director in heaven before he fell, was affected very positively by the praises lifted up to God.
In fact, according to the servant of The Lord, praise brought him almost to the point of repentance as he not only listened, but was moved to join in with the angels as they sang. Pay very close attention to the effect of praise. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 36] The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adoration.
Lucifer bowed with them but in his heart, there was a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy.
As songs of praise ascended in melodious strains, swelled by thousands of glad voices, the spirit of evil seemed vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire being; his soul went out, in harmony with the sinless worshippers, in love to the Father and the Son.
But we must launch out into the deep as it were, for according to the Bible, praise to God can also annoy devils, and can send them into reverse gear, as they make their advance.
Something happens when prayer and praise ascend to God for it’s a documented fact that evil spirits are deeply irritated when the Christian is engaged with praises.
According to the sacred record, the evil spirit that tormented Saul, would get up and leave, whenever praises, and the right type of music were offered by David, because it produced a soothing effect upon the King’s perturbed mind. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on a harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so, Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 643] His counselors advised him to seek for the services of a skillful musician, in the hope that the soothing notes of a sweet instrument might calm his troubled spirit.
In the providence of God, David, as a skillful performer upon the harp, was brought before the king. His lofty and heaven-inspired strains had the desired effect. The brooding melancholy that had settled like a dark cloud over the mind of Saul was charmed away.
Whenever it was necessary, he was recalled to minister before the king, to soothe the mind of the troubled monarch till the evil spirit should depart from him.
Therefore, it is a no brainer, that because our praise to God often turns seeming defeats into victory, our praises would come under attack so as to upend the victory that God often gives us in adversity.
If devils can succeed in stopping your praise, for any reason, they would have won, in the overwhelming majority of cases. Hence the reason why praise and worship come under attack at various point in our experience.
It is nothing new, for it’s just the continuation of the script from the playbook that’s used throughout the history of mankind. In other words, wherever you have sincere praise to God ascending, the devil will become ticked off, and attacks should be expected. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 50>52] The happy birds flitted about them (Adam and Eve) without fear; and as their glad songs ascended to the praise of their Creator, Adam and Eve united with them in thanksgiving to the Father and the Son.
In the happiness and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to him was forever lost. He would change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to reproaches against their Maker.
This is what was tried on Job, as Job suffered from the first bouts of attacks, where he lost just about everything. After the first wave of adversities and trials, Job did the correct thing, because he fell on his knees and worshipped God anyway. Let’s read:
Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and he worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
But the second wave got really personal, as Job was relegated to being bed-ridden, with sores that were a direct assault on his person by satan. In this one, he tries to change Job’s praises to curses, just as he did with our first parents, and as he continues to try to do with persons who follow Christ.
Job did very well in this first episode and he is now trying to regroup, when, lo and behold, out of the blue comes another attack, in an attempt to change Job’s praises to curses.
These things are written in the Scriptures so that we may understand the nature of the warfare, and thus position ourselves to praise God, in the good times as well as the bad. Let’s read:
Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2 And Job spoke, and said,
3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, there is a man child conceived.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
Recently, several members of our local church have been attacked in various ways, and we will observe two things:
[1] The attacks took place almost within the same period of time, beginning approximately around November of last year, when there was a severe uptick in demonic activity across the land and which continues up to the present.
[2] It is also observed that all the affected members have one thing in common, in that they are closely associated with praise and worship in the church.
Thus, we must confront the issue, and do whatever we can to protect our praise. Now that we know for sure, that sincere praises often get God going, and now that we know for sure that praise to God ticks of devils, the Christian will have to make a conscious decision to praise God anyway.
Now, to the strictly rational mind, it may seem as if the logical thing to do is try not to tick satan off. But if we were to go that route, then the victories which attended the heroes of faith may evade us.
Therefore, the right thing to do, and the only thing to do is for us to protect our praise, meaning, that whatsoever may be our lot in this life, and whatever may come our way, let us try by the grace of God to keep our praises to Him intact.
Definite, and pertinent instructions are therefore given in the Bible for us to achieve this end, and as we study the counsels given, let us ask God to keep our faces lifted to the skies.
The up and down experiences will not last forever, for we are pilgrims heading to a better world, where these circumstances will be things of the past.
Instruction [1] Remember, and call to mind all of the good things and deliverances God has done for us in times past, for it’s the song of our experience that is the catalyst for praise, especially when you’re being tried.
Where possible, the Christian should have a diary or some means of preserving, for reference purposes, God’s dealings with us. Whenever this is done, and if you were to pull the files when tempted and tried, your mind will be greatly refreshed and much better prepared to deal with the current issues. Let’s read:
Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore, will I hope in him.
[The Great Controversy pp 621] God's love for his children during the period of their severest trial is as strong, and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity.
[Last Day Events pp 72] We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.
Instruction [2] Keep the promises of God front and center of your experience. That song we often sing: “Standing on the Promises” will have meaning in the most literal sense.
One ploy of the enemy is to try to get the Christian who is facing trial, to focus on the problem instead of the solution. Hence the reason why the Hebrews were instructed not to look at their wounds, but on the uplifted serpent, which represented Christ, and the healing that is to be found in Him.
Therefore, by dwelling on the promises of God, an aura of positive outlook will envelop the mind, and this will also go a long way in the recovery process.
That’s what Christ told the man who needed help so desperately for his young son, who was in adversity. All things are possible to him that believeth, and it is the mere possibility that opens the door of hope to the one who is tried, because you never know what God will do. Let’s read:
Psalms 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keeps thee will not slumber.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Instruction [3] Wherever possible, sing and play the songs of Zion that will lift your spirit heavenward. It is especially important for musicians and singers to pay attention to this particular instruction.
The right type of music would deeply affect for the better, the one who is musically inclined, even if the songs of Zion are played to his / her unconscious mind. The voicings and melodies that soothe will help the mind in thinking along positive lines, and this often paves the way for desired outcomes. Let’s read:
Psalms 149: 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.
Psalms 150: Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
6 Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
Instruction [4] Live in harmony with whatsoever you know to be right. A clear conscience before God and man is critically important to dealing with adversity, for wherever this is the case, the one who is facing trial will have the confidence and assurance to plead with God.
This particular instruction proved very valuable to Job, as he battled the forces of darkness during his time of testing.
Job 23: 10 But he knows the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
In closing it is important for all of us to look beyond that which is seen, to that which is eternal, for it is the blessed hope which puts all the troubles of life in their proper context and perspective.
The just shall live by faith, and we will find it more and more necessary to trust in God for everything that pertains to life and salvation. In harmony with this, we will end with a gentle reminder that God always has the backs of those who believe and trust in Him. Let’s read:
Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God Bless!