Christian Living

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Praise is a valuable thing. It’s the single most precious gift we could give God. It’s the only gift over which we have complete control. Yes, we can give Him our time but our concept of time means nothing to Him. We could give our money but it’s His anyway. We could rattle off a list of things that we can give to God but it boils down to praise. Our spirit making a deeply profound, indescribable connection with our Almighty Creator is a gift that we can and should give freely.

For those of us in the Pentecostal community our praise usually takes the form of lively music, singing, clapping, shouting, hands lifted high, sometimes even dancing. We forget about our surroundings and stand before the throne showering our God with the adoration and love He so richly deserves. What happens then, when we are the lonely one on the back pew unable to see the throne, having hands so heavy they won’t leave our sides much less reach toward Heaven? How do we get past the fence that keeps us imprisoned to the courts of praise?

There are usually two enemies that stand between God and us: Self and Satan. Both adversaries are mighty but all is not lost. We have been given weaponry for this war. It is our job to use that weaponry and fight! We cannot let anything build a wall around us severing our connection to our source of strength.

We are incapable of battling both enemies simultaneously. Self and Satan must be addressed individually. Satan is vicious. Like the roaring lion he is equated with, he wants to devour us. When lions hunt they do not go after the strong and willful antelope. They go for the feeble, weakened, inexperienced antelope. When Satan sees us giving in to sin, be it pride, hatred, adultery, anything that causes separation, he moves in for the kill. He doesn’t rush out from the bushes bearing fangs. He sweet-talks us from one lie to ten, from impure thoughts to acting on them. It may be subtle at first building to a crescendo but he is there. However, as stealthy as Satan can be, the Holy Spirit is always wiser. If we are sensitive and listen to Him we can recognize an invasion, cutting Satan off at the knees. The Bible gives us instruction straight from Jesus’ mouth in Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;” With this powerful knowledge we have the spear to drive through the heart of the demons guilt, shame, lust, and pride. It’s a simple spear to wield also. We just have to lay claim to the promise of our Savior and vocally, fervently bind and cast out these demons. When standing on faith and relying on the authority given to us by the Author and Creator, Satan isn’t such a formidable foe.

The battle against Self can be (but doesn’t have to be) arduous. Reigning in our flesh is an ongoing part of sanctification. We have to get past self-importance turning our will into “Thy will be done.” In the case of praise God’s will is to accept everything we can give. After all, that’s why He created us.

Let’s step back from ourselves for a moment and reevaluate what’s hindering us through the filter of God’s eyes. When we praise Him he doesn’t see our faults, not the rumpled hair, second hand clothing or even our screeching, off-key voice. He sees a white-robed, crowned, voice like a canary in the morning Saint. His heart is bursting with love and the smile on His face is so bright it provides our very own spotlight. He cherishes us. All He desires is to know that we cherish Him also.

The best way to demonstrate our obeisance is through exaltation. Accomplishing this requires setting aside our humiliation. Who cares what Miss Betty Gossips-A-Lot thinks of our clothes? So we won't be invited to sing an opera? Lets just get over ourselves and obey. Even with a joyful noise.

We have nothing to fear from praise. It should be automatic. Does that mean we can go hogwild knocking over the furniture and squealing like a banshee? No. Scripture addresses that in 1 Corinthians 14:40 when Paul was instructing the church at Corinth regarding disorderly conduct and disruptive prophecy during church, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

If it is Self that drives your shame for praise you will know and you can work through it with the prayers and counsel of your pastor and elder saints. Take caution not to let that shame become a foothold for Satan to pour on the heaping coals of guilt and disgust. Meditate on these verses though rarely used in conjunction with one another in this instance they seem quite appropriate: Proverb: 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall;” 1Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;” Psalms 27:6, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord;” 1Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Pray that God show you in the spirit what He sees in your praise. Ask Him to help you relish in your sacrifices to Him. He won’t let you down if you depend on Him. And remember your praise here in the minor league is just practice for the major league praise to come!

* Feel free to share this with someone who might benefit even though it is available for purchase.

(c) Beatrice Scalf 2005

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