Praising God

Praising God

A look at the power of praise.

1. GRATITUDE AND PRAISE SHOULD BE CULTI­VATED (2 Chron 20:1-30).

“When the ten lepers were healed, only one returned to find Jesus and give Him glory. Let us not be like the unthinking nine, whose hearts were untouched by the mercy of God.”1 “Let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love.”2

NOTE: Ellen White suggested to publishing house employees that “as often as once a week a praise meeting should be held.”3 At camp meet­ings a simple service of thanksgiving should be held daily.”4

2.   THE POWER OF PRAISE (2 Chron. 20:1-30). 

“Begin to educate your tongues to praise Him and train your hearts to make melody to God; and when the evil one begins to settle his gloom about you, sing praise to God. When things go crossways at your homes, strike up a song about the matchless charms of the Son of God, and I tell you, when you touch this strain, Satan will leave you.”5

“Unbelievers are often converted as they listen to pure words of praise and gratitude to God.”6 “No more effec­tive means [telling about and praising God for blessings received] can be employed for winning souls to Christ.”7

“Let there be singing in the home, of songs that are sweet and pure, and there will be fewer words of censure, and more of cheerfulness and hope and joy. Let there be singing in the school, and the pupils will be drawn closer to God, to their teachers, and to one another.”8

3.   SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF PRAISE (Prov. 17:27).

  • Increase of joy9
  • More bestowed to praise God10
  • Banishment of discouragement11
  • Steady increase of courage, hope, and faith 12
  • Far more power in prayer 13
  • Greater realization of God’s love14
  • Health of body and soul promoted15

NOTE: “No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from ap­preciating the goodness and love of God:”16

4. A FEW OF THE MANY THINGS TO PRAISE GOD FOR (Lam. 3:22, 23).

  • The gift of God’s Son 17
  • God’s goodness and mercies18
  • The fresh blessings of each new day19
  • God’s peace in our hearts20
  • The protection given by angels21
  • The water we drink purchased by Christ’s blood 22
  • Temporal blessings and comforts23
  • The matchless charms of Christ24
  • The bread we eat the cross of Calvary stamped on every loaf25
  • Being kept through the night26
  • God’s acceptance of the humble27
  • The second coming of Jesus28

NOTE: “The thought that Christ died to obtain for us the gift of everlasting life, is enough to call forth from our hearts the most sincere and fervent gratitude, and from our lips the most enthusiastic praise.”29 “The greatness of this gift was to furnish men with a theme of thanksgiving and praise that would last through time and eternity.”30

Memorize stanzas 1, 3, and 6 of “When Morning Gilds the Skies...”31

Develop a plan for “educating” your heart and lips to praise God (see Daniel 6:10).

“Here are my directions: pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all He is go­ing to do for them” (1 Tim. 2:1, LB).

“Let us praise God for an opportunity to live for the glory of His name. Let the fresh blessings of each new day awaken praise in our hearts for these tokens of His lov­ing care. When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon, and night, let gratitude as a sweet perfume ascend to heaven.”32

“No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of God...Then let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love.”33

BENEFITS WHICH RESULT FROM PRAISING GOD

1. Praise increases faith, hope, and courage. “If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope and courage and faith would steadily in­crease.”34

2. Praise increases our power in prayer. “We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. If the loving kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer.”35

3. Praise increases our love for God. “If the loving kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we.... would abound more and more in the love of God.”36

4. Praise increases our power in witnessing. “Far more than we do, we need to speak of the pre­cious chapters in our experience. After a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our joy in the Lord and our efficiency in His service would be greatly increased by recounting His goodness and His wonderful works in behalf of His children... Such a testimony will have an influence upon others. No more effective means can be employed for winning souls to Christ.”37

5.     Praise results in greater blessings being be­stowed. “If the loving kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would...have more bestowed to praise Him for.”38

6.   Praise promotes health. “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.”39

7.   Praise brings us nearer to heaven. “The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our grati­tude, we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts.”40

References:

1 Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 5. 1855-1909. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948, p. 315.

2 The Ministry of Healing. 1905. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1942, p. 253.

3 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4. p. 461.

4 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 62.

5 The Review and Herald. August 5, 1900.

6 Messages to Young People. 1930. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1930, p. 424.

7 Christ’s Object Lessons. 1900. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1941, p. 300.

8 Education. 1903. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1952, p. 168.

9 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

10 Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 317.

11 The Ministry of Healing, p. 254.

12 Prophets and Kings. 1917. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943, p. 202.

13 Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 5, p. 317.

14 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 317.

15 The Ministry of Healing, p. 251.

16 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

17 Sons and Daughters of God. 1955. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1955, p. 243.

18 Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 4, p. 461.

19 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

20 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

21 Testimonies for the Church, Vol.6, p. 63

22 The Ministry of Healing, p. 660.

23 Child Guidance. 1954. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1954, p. 148.

24 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 593.

25 The Desire of Ages. 1898. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1940, p. 660.

26 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

27 Fundamentals of Christian Education. 1923. Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1923, p. 370.

28 Evangelism. 1946. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970, p. 218.

29 Sons and Daughters of God, p. 238.

30 Sons and Daughters of God, p. 243.

31 Church Hymnal, p. 43

32 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

33 The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

34 Prophets and Kings, p. 202.

35 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 317.

36 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 317.

37 Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 300.

38 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 317.

39 The Ministry of Healing, p. 251.

40 Steps to Christ. 1892. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1956, p. 104.