I sing along with the congregation, praising God at the beginning and end of a church service. I often listen and sing along to songs of praise on Christian radio. I’m a good follower, but how often do I initiate the praise without the influence of a worship leader or radio program?

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2 ESV

In verse one of this Psalm, the Hebrew word translated ‘wonderful deeds,’ refers to the great acts of God, his intervention in human affairs – miracles - as in the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt.

Not many of us can recite personal accounts of the great acts of God. We weren’t there when God led the Israelites out of Egypt. We didn’t see Moses get water from a rock or see the manna fall from heaven to feed the nation in the dessert. We can only read about it in the bible. David didn’t see them either. He had been told of Israel’s history and had developed faith in God’s presence, early in life. As a result of his firm belief, he praised God with all his heart. And, when he was faced with insurmountable obstacles, like a giant of a man who frightened seasoned soldiers, he was able to stand and overcome them.
David believed God and had the faith to praise him through whatever was going on in his life. David focused on God, not on the trouble that often surrounded him. He was hunted by the armies of King Saul and later by his own son, but still he sang God’s praise. He remembered God’s goodness and reminded himself of God’s faithfulness.

How many times I have stormed into a situation without consulting the only One who can bring complete victory. The results of operating under my own power are always less than optimal. And when I do stop and pray, it is easy to look for the answer that agrees with mine or to have a back-up plan. I’m keeping one foot resting on my abilities and the other in God’s power.

James says that a person must pray in sincere faith of the Lord’s goodness. “with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind… he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6-8 ESV

Intentionally verbalizing our praise of God, every day, puts the full weight of our faith in the One who controls the outcome. (Psalm 22:3)
There is power in praise.

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Names of God Ebook Almighty God. The Creator of heaven and earth. Our God is given names in Scripture that describe the characteristics of His personality. Experience God.