As discussed in the previous post, “for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). It is those corresponding actions or responses that accompany faith, which gives life to faith. Without them, your faith has no way of surviving. A sure corresponding action, which is evidence of a faith that is alive and able to produce results is Praising God.
Everyone can praise God when they see the manifestation of their desire, and that is surely a good thing. But to praise God even before the answers to your desire show up: Now, that is faith that has life to it. This kind of faith will defeat the devil any time. Praising God before the manifestation shows up is a bold declaration of your faith that you believe you have received what you have asked for, and it is those who believe they receive who end up having what they have asked for (Mark 11:24; John 11:40).
When we praise God form our hearts, He shows up because the Lord God Almighty inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Our God is the Father of glory (Ephesians 1:17). Therefore when He shows up in our praise, the light of His glory (Revelation 21:23) dispels every darkness that keeps us bound and holds back our blessings – just as light surely dispels darkness. Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Even so when God shows up because of our praise, the fire of His presence consumes the chaff and all that the devil has thrown at us, which keep us from inheriting God’s promises – just as fire surely consumes hay and stubble. Our God is the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). Therefore when He shows up in response to our praise, His peace crushes satan under our feet (cf. Romans 6:16). Our God is the God of Hope (Romans 15:13). Thus, when He comes to inhabit our praise, His hope creates in us a confident expectation of seeing His promises realized in our lives, and surely our expectation shall not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18).
If you are standing in faith to see the promises of God manifest in your life then get your praise going. Make praising God a habit. For when you “Learn to lift your hands and praise the Lord, the devil you will raze, that is demolish, diminish, [and] put him to flight. For he [the devil] cannot stand the praises of God’s people, and God inhabits your praises and God’s presence into manifestation shall come and you’ll have great cause for rejoicing” – Prophetic utterance by Kenneth E. Hagin.
To be continued…
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
April 23, 2016.