By Patti Miller – Piqua, Ohio
What is a fish’s natural environment? Water, of course! Fish don’t thrive or even survive very long outside of the beautiful environment that God has provided for them.
In the kingdom of God, our natural environment is an atmosphere of praise. That’s where we thrive.
In Revelation, the apostle John saw an open door in heaven and was invited to “come up” and see the atmosphere of heaven.
“After this [the advice to specific churches], I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” Revelation 4:1 ESV
Foundation of Praise
This invitation was given at a time when John, in his old age, had been rejected for his testimony of Jesus Christ and banished to the isle of Patmos.
His surroundings offered him no hope, and his remaining friends were far away. The church was being persecuted everywhere.
At the same time, John was given another view, another reality—the spiritual, the heavenly, the eternal—where praise is being given 24 hours a day!
It is centered on the throne room of the universe, and God is sitting on the throne! He reigns! This is the foundation of praise!
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” I Timothy 1:17 KJV
“With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God!” Psalms 103:1 TPT
“My heart explodes with praise to you! Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you, my king and my God! Every day I will lift up my praise to your name with praises that will last throughout eternity.” Psalms 145:1, 2 TPT
Praise is a Lifestyle
In these verses, praise is a lifestyle, a posture of the heart; not something just reserved for a “worship” song or two on a Sunday morning.
“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.” 1 Peter 2:9 KJV
The words “show forth” mean “to tell out,” to make known by praising or proclaiming; to celebrate.
How rich our lives become as we live surrounded by God’s love and faithfulness with his praise in our hearts and on our lips! An old catechism text states, “the chief end (or job) of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!”
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 KJV
How would things be different in your life if you began to think of glorifying God as the core purpose of everything? How would you do things differently if you were doing it for the praise of God’s glory?
Reminds me of an old Jesus Revolution era song, “Kicking the Hogs and Praising the Lord” — “I learned how I can do anything and still be praising the Lord!”
THINK – making the bed, cleaning the floors, bathing the kids, going to work, driving in traffic. There’s only one life-sized compartment of praising the Lord! Party on!
Praise is Preparation
Praise prepares us for problems. It is not the caboose at the end of the train once we have answered prayers. It is the engine at the front of the train that moves things forward.
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23 NIV
We can see this in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was informed that a coalition of enemy armies was advancing toward the palace in such numbers that there was no possibility of surviving the attack. His immediate response was a prayer of praise:
“… O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6 NIV
Those words alone bring comfort and peace to the troubled soul and cause faith to rise up.
We don’t focus on the problem or ourselves. That’s not where our help comes from.
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:2 ESV
2 Chronicles 20 continues where God responded through Jahaziel by telling the king:
“…Be not be afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 KJV
The next morning King Jehoshaphat sent out singers before the army with a one line chorus:
“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 endureth for ever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21 KJV
‘Praise’ in this verse is the Hebrew word “yadah,” meaning “raised out hands.” Their praise released God to act before they even reached the battlefield.
“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.” 2 Chronicles 20:22 KJV
Praise Attracts Promise
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” Psalms 34:1-2 KJV
Our mouth is our address in the spiritual realm. Genuine praise attracts God’s promises, purposes, provision and productivity.
“Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us.” Psalms 67:5, 6 KJV
For more on the power of praise, read Patti Miller’s Praise – It’s the Atmosphere of Heaven!
Patti and her husband, Ivan, have been functioning ministers for over 40 years and serve on CFFM’s pastoral care team. They have three grown children and are now enjoying grandchildren, too.