Lesson Five: Building Process 2, Practicing the Life of Praise

The Bible further tells us reasons why practicing the life of praise is essential in developing our relationship with God. The following passages explain them.

Why Praise?

A. God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3)

Inhabits means to dwell. Therefore, whenever we praise God, He makes his presence felt in our midst in a special way.

B. It is the manner by which one must enter into the presence of God. (Psalm 100:4)

Entering into God’s presence with praise and worship protects us from taking God lightly. A.W. Tozer wrote, “Familiarity breeds contempt even at the very altar of God.”

C. It is the purpose for which God redeemed or saved us. (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14)

The phrase “to the praise of His glory” is repeated several times in this passage. It only shows how important it is in God’s eternal plan.

D. It affirms God’s goodness and sovereignty in the midst of discouraging circumstances. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

It is easy to praise God when things look good. But when things look very discouraging like graft and corruption in society or the drug menace, it becomes really hard to praise God. But when we take the time to understand the big picture of God’s eternal plan, and be reminded of God’s character and promises like what Habakuk experienced, then we will be able to do it. By doing so, we affirm God’s character in the midst of discouraging circumstances.

E. It is our powerful weapon against the enemy. (2 Chronicles 20:1-24)

It is commonly said that praise binds the power of Satan who leads the world in its rebellion against God, because praise affirms our faith in God. The Bible says, “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” (1 John 5:4) God’s enemies flee in the face of praise and worship. This was clearly manifested in the experience of Jehoshaphat and the Israelites as they were faced with an "impossible" situation.

Exercise 1: Recite Prayer Principle 5, Memory Verse 5A & 5B.