The Power Of Praise!

March 16, 2023

The Power Of Praise!

As I write these words, I am listening to Lauren Daigle’s song, “Everything.”  I like the lyrical movement of the melody line.  At the same time, I am challenged by the song’s message.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

Those six words addressed to the Lord God are a powerful statement of my trust in the Lord.  I am reminded of three promises;

+The Lord is faithful to give me what I need.

+The Lord is able to give me what I need.

+The Lord is eager to give me what I need.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

That’s quite the list of promises!  However, it is the foundation upon which those promises are built that is even more amazing.  Think about the three-fold foundation from which the Lord’s promises flow to you and me.

+The Lord knows me…

…so He gives me exactly what I need when I need it most.

+The Lord loves me…

…so He often gives me what I need before I ask.

+The Lord is generous to me…

…so He gives me more than I need.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

My response to the Lord’s promises is worship.  Worship is prayer and song.  Worship is adoration and awe.  Worship is community and connection.  And, worship is gratitude and praise. 

Worship is my response to the goodness of the Lord, the greatness of the Lord, and the grace of the Lord.  Worship is my response to the protection of the Lord, the presence of the Lord, and the power of the Lord. 

Worship is also my response to the provision of the Lord.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

The image of worship in Psalm 42:4 inspires me.  The Psalmist writes;

“These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:  how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God (the place of worship), with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival (worshipping).”

The Psalmist reminds me that no matter how needy I feel, I am created and called to worship the Lord.  In the previous verse, we hear the cry of a badly broken heart.  The Psalmist writes; “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’”

Overwhelmed with sadness and distress and maybe doubt and fear.  The Psalmist acknowledging his neediness; “I pour out my soul.”  And yet, the Psalmist still remembers the Spirit’s call to gather with other believers to worship the Lord.  Worship helps us to remember the goodness and greatness and grace of the Lord.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

The Psalmist also reminds me that my focus in worship is also important.  The Psalmist says worship is filled with “glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving.”  The power of praise in my worship is possible because I believe the Lord loves me, knows me, and is generous to me.

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.”

The Psalmist reminds me that although worship may be an individual experience, there is great power and joy in my experience of worship with other Christ-followers.  The Psalmist tells us how he “went with the throng” and that there was “a multitude keeping festival.” 

Lauren sings; “You give me everything I need.” 

When I worship with God’s people, worship transforms my life and the lives of others.  When my worship is filled with the power of praise, I see lives transformed as Jesus gives me everything I need.  When lives are changed, my heart will take delight in the Lord…worship filled with the power of praise.

I encourage you to find a way “with the throng” of God’s people to gather for worship at a church this week.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug