BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY...The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.(REVELATION 4:10-11) This is the scene that John saw in his vision of heaven. The elders that gather around God's throne worship Him day and night. The song they sing is "Thou art Worthy". God is worthy to receive glory honor and power because He is the Creator of all things. John goes on to tell us of more about the elder's song. Thou art worthy for You were slain and have redeemed us by Your blood. Yes, God is worthy; worthy because He created us, and worthy because He shed His blood to redeem His fallen creation.

BECAUSE HE INHABITS OUR PRAISE...Thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (PSALM 22:3) Our praise attracts His presence. Oh, how we need His presence! King David said, "In Your presence is fulness of Joy." The joy of the Lord is our strenth! When we praise Him He shows up right in the middle of our circumstance to bring us the victory! God is not insecure, He doesn't need our praise to prop up a sagging self image. Praise does far more for us than it does for Him. When we get good at praising God for what He's done in our past we'll realize what He can do in our present, and ultimately what He will do in our future!

BECAUSE PRAISE BRINGS VICTORY...King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were in a real pickle. They had enemies form the north, the west, and the south attacking at once. After a time of prayer and fasting God spoke through a prophet. "You will not even have to fight in this battle for the battle is the Lord's." The King believed the prophets word and sent the praise team and choir out ahead of the army. The scripture says, "He appointed people to sing to the LORD and praise Him for the beauty of His holiness. As they went in front of the troops, they sang, "Thank the LORD because His mercy endures forever!" As they started to sing praises, the LORD set ambushes against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir who had come into Judah. They were defeated!" (2 CHRONICLES20:21-22) We may not face physical armies but we are certainly in battle for our very lives. The apostle Paul said, "Fight the good fight of faith." Praise is our best defence. The word Judah literally means praise. When the people of Israel marched into battle they always sent Judah first. When you face a crisis, send Judah first. Make praise your first line of defence.

BECAUSE PRAISE BRINGS FREEDOM...Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the Gospel. They were arrested, beaten and cast into prison. They were shackled and chained. They had every reason to be angry, depressed and defeated but instead they praise God. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the jail. All the doors immediately flew open, and all the prisoners' chains came loose. (ACTS 16:25-26)In the midnight hour when things are dark, Praise Him! When you feel mistreated or misunderstood, Praise Him! When you are facing physical or emotional pain, Praise Him! Don't wait for things to get better. Praise Him and things will get better!
"This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My PRAISE." ISAIAH 43:21

WAYS TO PRAISE

SING - O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; shew forth His salvation from day to day. (PSALM 96:1)

CLAP YOUR HANDS - O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. (PSALM 47:1)

LIFT YOUR HANDS - Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. (PSALM 134:2)

DANCE AND PLAY INSTRUMENTS - Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. (PSALM 149:3)

KNEEL DOWN BEFORE HIM - O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. (PSALM 95:6)

"I don't know how to give back to God what He deserves than to just worship with my life and every part of me"- KARI JOBE - Associate Worship Pastor Gateway Church