LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Praise, the Power of God
At one point in my life I found myself trapped, feeling that my prayers did not go beyond the ceiling. Hearing the testimony of other brothers invaded by sadness and depression, we saw a powerful way out, discovering that, in the Old Testament, praise was used by Israel to destroy their enemies. This began to light the way for us.
Israel razed their adversaries to the ground, using a very unusual weapon, something that to human eyes seemed despicable. But God was giving them a clear sign that it is through praise that victory over evil is achieved.
Today our enemies are spiritual: sadness, depression, discouragement, bitterness. There is a passage in Scripture where Saul was tormented by an evil spirit. Then David played the harp, and Saul was relieved and the spirit departed from him (1 Sam. 16:23). We see another example when the people of Israel confronted the walls of Jericho: they simply played musical instruments and the walls fell (Josh. 6:1-27).
How tremendous is the power that comes from the fruit of lips that confess His name! Israel proves this once again, when they begin to sing songs of praise and their enemies kill each other. A great army was coming against Israel; but God tells them not to fear, that they have no need to fight (2 Chron. 20:17). In the face of such an answer, one can imagine the joy of the people (2 Chron. 20:18-19). It seems contradictory to win without fighting, but here is the difference: The battle was won spiritually through praise.
In the tabernacle and in the temple, the priests would enter the court, praising God, expressing the joy they felt at leaving their transgressions before the Lord (Ps. 100:4). Our worship services normally begin with praise. This is its importance: it clears the mist, cleanses the atmosphere, removes the weight that besieges us and prepares us to enter with joy into the Most Holy Place, into the very presence of the Lord (Ps. 95:1-2).
In Revelation 14:1-5, the Lamb stands on Mount Zion, and with him the hundred and forty-four thousand. Let us remember that the Zionists were characterized by the expression of their praise, and we are the heavenly Zion, we are witnesses of this liberating power.
When the church gathers and praises in spirit and in truth, the presence of the Lord is manifested. When we give daily thanks for what we are, for what we have, for what our King gives us; when we give due glory to his name, praising God for his wonders and greatness, our Lord delivers us from our oppressors. This is not a recipe, but the life of Christ expressed in us.