BLESS THE LORD
Dearly beloved, I bring you greetings in the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God and our soon coming King. We thank God for another opportunity to be in His presence.
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1 (KJV)
Often times we get so overwhelmed with circumstances, to the point where praise is the last thing on our minds. We look around, and in the natural, there is nothing to praise about; yet, the scriptures tell us to praise God at all times, there’s no condition attached to it. In the good times and in the difficult times, His praise must continually be in our mouths.
You see its easy to praise God when the going is good, and when you have testimonies to share. But can you still bless the Lord when everything seems to have turned against you? This is where the rubber meets the road. Until your praise reaches the dimension of sacrifice where you can still bless the Lord in the good and in the bad, you are still in the pediatrics of praise.
The scripture is filled with individuals who decided to praise God in spite of their challenges and difficulties, and supernaturally, they were delivered from their difficulty. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat led the Israelites to battle, and he put the singers ahead of the army. The singers led the troop, and they were supernaturally delivered. In Psalms 27, David made the choice to bless the Lord while He was on the run in the wilderness and hiding from Saul the King. His praises brought down resources from heaven that stopped his enemy. Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25, prayed and sang praises to God in prison while their feet were fastened in stocks, and the prison gates flew open. Jesus looked at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:41, and thanked God for always hearing Him and Lazarus came back to life.
In what area of life are you being confronted by the devil? Take time out to deliberately praise God. In fact, put on your dancing shoes and give God a dance as an offering. You are not dancing because of the challenge, but because you are confident in God’s ability to deliver and do so completely. Begin now to bless the Lord even when you don’t feel like it so that heaven can help you.
You see praise helps you focus on the goodness and greatness of God. When you praise God, that challenge becomes so minute, and you are able to believe for the impossible. Through praise you extol His might, His power, His uniqueness, His ability, and His grace. Through praise you forget everyone and everything else; He becomes the singular object of your concentration. Through praise you remind yourself of the goodness of yesterday, and you know He is able to do even more today. Through praise you consider His goodness in the lives of others, knowing that what He does for one is an indication of what He can do for another.
Child of God, you must always maintain an attitude of praise. Live a life of praise and gratitude for God for all He has done. Magnify His name, just because of who He is, and watch situations and circumstances give way.
I declare to you that your challenges will bow before you. No matter what it is you are encountering, you will be delivered supernaturally. The favor of God will rest upon you. I bless you today in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service
Bishop Mike Okonkwo
