LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATHE PRAISE THE LORD

Psalms 150. ref Acts 16:16-34.

It’s always a joy sharing Gods word among God’s people.

What is PRAISE? Fast songs and slow songs- Little boy mentality.

Let’s turn to Ps150.

We have been commanded to praise God !!! It’s not a suggestion nor a plea. It’s a command.

Here we see the psalmist praising God and exalting Him. Final psalm, composed to close the psalter.

I will now draw our attention to three main points.

1. The Source Of Our Praise

   The Psalmist praise comes from a relationship with God so is Paul’s praise through the experience of salvation in Christ. Paul was a servant of God, going around preaching. They were going to a place of prayer, before encountering all these. So it does not stop them from praising God.

2. The Object Of Our Praise

   Psalms 150:1-2. His acts of power(in creation and redemption). His surpassing greatness. God is worthy of our praises. He is our creator, and it’s for the very reason of praising Him that we were created.

   No place, no time is amiss for prayer or praise, if the heart be lifted up to God. No trouble, however grievous, should hinder us from praise.

   Paul and Silas servants of the most high God, called by God and yet being flogged and dragged into prison, but in response Prayed and praised God. What then shall we do as individuals amidst our struggles and difficulties?

   Praising God is a choice and Paul and Silas made despite their wounds and bonds in prison.

   It is not that our troubles don’t matter but in whatever suffering we undergo we can still find things to praise God about.

   Let everything that has breath praise the Lord !!!

3. The Result Of Our Praise

   There is a blessing praising God. God worked freedom not just for the physical chains but a freedom from sin. Salvation came to the household of the jailer as a result of praise and prayer. Acts16:31.

   This reminds me of an invitation to Harmondsworth detention centre here in the UK for a carol service and the detainees presented a song that reminded me of home “Everybody praise the Lord Now!” (I thought to myself

   these are people far from families yet joyously praising God) and also times when we visited prisoners in Cameroon and together we would sing and praise God and also share God’s word. And you could definitely feel God’s presence. It was always amazing how God would change their very lives.

   It may not always be very spectacular as in the case of Paul and Silas but God will still glorify Himself through our praises.

Illustration: Story of John Wesley

John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person , filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes. "And what else do you thank God for?" he said with a touch of sarcasm. The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!" Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.

Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath."

Summary: Source of our praise – Salvation, the object of our praise – God, and the results of our – joy.

Conclusion

I will invite us all to bow our heads and reflect, (We all face challenges of different magnitudes, but also as individuals we may have issues in our very lives and families which we may be struggling with. Now take in a deep breathe – As long as we have breathe, let us choose to praise the Lord in the midst of these difficulties).