Encounter FreedomSample

Day 10: Worship

Praise is the environment of freedom and liberty. Wherever authentic praise is offered to God, those things that try to bind and keep you imprisoned crash to the ground. Every demonic force against you becomes confused, panic-stricken, and overcome as their plans topple over in the presence of praise given to the Most High God. If you want to live daily in freedom, you must become a person of perpetual praise.

Why is praise so powerful and connected to your freedom? It is because God inhabits—or is enthroned in—the praise of His people (see Psalm 22:3). God is King and His kingdom has no end. He chooses to manifest His presence and kingdom in the midst of people who praise, adore, glorify, and worship Him.

Praise is declaring the awesome majesty and power of God. Praise is humble worship and adoration. Praise is calling out to God with the understanding that He alone is worthy of all the glory and is able to do above and beyond what is asked for. Praise declares the victory and is the celebration of the war that has been won!

There is an amazing story that unfolds in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 and I encourage you to read the whole chapter. A great multitude of enemies were coming, and when King Jehoshophat heard the news he initially reacted out of fear.

Those who praised the Lord led the army into battle, but the army did not have to fight this battle, for the battle was the Lord’s. This passage continues to say that when they began to sing and praise, God’s presence and rulership was manifested.  How? The Lord Himself set ambushes against the enemy. The enemy destroyed themselves in the midst of chaos and confusion in the camp. God won the battle in the midst of the people’s praise. Praise invites and adores God’s presence, and wherever God is present, there is freedom and victory.

What is the enemy fighting you with? No matter what you are becoming free in and no matter what journey you have been on so far, begin to praise the Lord. Sing loud and with joyful thanksgiving. Declare His greatness and goodness, worship Him, and let your praises confuse, shock, and utterly destroy the enemy in your life. God is enthroned and dwells in your praises. His presence is no match for any enemy. Praise the Lord and be free!