Anchor Verse:
Psalm 67:5-6 (NIV) “May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.”
In a Nutshell:
The sermon taught us that praise is like the first river Pishon, bringing increase and life to every situation, and that we must praise before we see the breakthrough.
Unpacking the Word:
The concept of praise leading to increase might seem counterintuitive, especially when we’re facing challenges. Yet, as we learned from the sermon, praise isn’t just something we do after receiving blessings – it’s the gateway through which blessings flow.
Think about Jehoshaphat’s story mentioned in the sermon. When faced with overwhelming odds, his first response wasn’t to strategize or panic – it was to praise. This wasn’t denial of reality; it was a declaration of God’s sovereignty over that reality. The result? God moved on his behalf before the battle even began.
Similarly, Paul and Silas’s prison experience demonstrates the power of praise in seemingly hopeless situations. Their chains weren’t just metaphorically broken – they were literally shattered by the power released through their praise. They didn’t wait for freedom to praise; they praised their way into freedom.
The sermon emphasized that praise isn’t meant to be a Sunday-only activity but a lifestyle. Just as water needs to flow continuously to remain fresh, our praise needs to be constant to maintain its life-giving power. This doesn’t mean we’re always singing hymns, but rather maintaining an attitude of gratitude and recognition of God’s goodness.
Most importantly, praise shifts our focus from our problems to God’s presence. It’s not about denying the existence of storms but refusing to let those storms have authority over our peace and joy.
Pause and Reflect:
- What situations in my life need the “water of praise” right now?
- How often do I find myself waiting for circumstances to improve before offering praise?
- What would change if I viewed praise as a weapon rather than just a response?
Faith in Action:
- Set three specific times today to stop and praise God, regardless of how your day is going.
- Make a “praise playlist” of worship songs that remind you of God’s faithfulness.
- Share a testimony of God’s goodness with someone today, even if you’re still in the midst of a challenge.
A Moment with God:
Focus your prayer time on praising God for who He is, not just what He does. Start by listing His attributes and expressing gratitude for His unchanging nature.
All of this week’s devotionals are based on the sermon Pastor Reuben shared on Sunday, February 23, 2025 – My Soul’s A Well.
Click on the thumbnail to watch the sermon
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