Many of today’s games come with a POWER BOOST button you can click or press to get a burst of energy. It lets you run faster, jump higher, reach farther, and so on in the game you’re playing. Would you like to have a POWER BOOST button that works in real life? Well, I’ve got one for you.
Before we get to that, I should welcome you to “Mornings with Bishop Robert” — I’m glad you’re here. I truly look forward to our mornings together. My goal is to introduce people to the Jesus they never knew, and help them get to know Him and His word personally – and better ! If our time together today speaks to your heart, then let me invite you to like, subscribe and share it with a friend!
Some heroes, like Superman or Spiderman, have innate super powers. Sometimes hidden, but always there. Others, like Batman, bring no super powers to the fight; just tools, skills and training. But then you have another group of heroes, the ones who do something or need something to have access to their superpower. Shazam has to shout his name to be transformed. Marvel UK’s “Captain Britain” requires the Amulet of Right to gain super strength and the power of flight. Tony Stark needs his mechanized suit of armor to become Iron Man. You get the idea.
I’m going to tell you something you might find hard to believe. I have a garment I can put on that gives me super strength! It’s true. It’s called the “garment of praise,” and it’s in the bible. And YOU can have one, too.
Today’s verse says EVERYWHERE. FROM EAST TO WEST. PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Our enemy knows the power of praise, and so he does all he can to get you to stop doing it. I don’t praise God because I feel like it, I praise Him because He said to, because it’s good for me, because when I do He adds strength to my heart and does great things.
You and I need to lift our voices in praise to God. I began to say “Even when” but I need to say “Especially when” — You and I need to lift our voices in praise to God ESPECIALLY WHEN the battle is most difficult and our hearts are most crushed. There’s a verse in the book of Isaiah the prophet where he speaks of what God promises to provide for those who grieve. God offers a GARMENT OF PRAISE instead of a spirit of despair. Put on the garment of praise and be covered in His strength. Praise is a mighty weapon against fear, doubt, and brokenheartedness.
Can you imagine being in a war, you see the enemy pouring over the ridges. Your first response is: “Aaugh!” Your Captain comes to you and says, “Don’t worry. Put your rifle down and use this rocket launcher.” “But Captain, I don’t feel like it.” “Use it , it works.” “But Captain, you don’t understand. I’m afraid. I’m hurting. I’m unhappy. I’m depressed. My spouse yelled at me and my kids are angry with me.” “Don’t give me excuses, soldier. Just use the rocket launcher.”
Isn’t that a little bit like what happens to people who are Jesus followers? For some people, you’d swear by watching them that life is always good to them. They always have a smile on their face and determination in their steps. It’s because they’ve made a decision not to let their circumstances or their feelings determine their behaviour. Others, if they’ve had a tough week – well, they decide to stop using their rocket launcher; they stop praising God. But any casual observer will tell you that when the enemy is attacking with his strongest forces is when you need to mount your greatest counter-attack if you intend to win the battle.
EVERYWHERE. FROM EAST TO WEST. PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD.
And not just everyWHERE, but also everyWHEN. Praise Him when it is hardest, because that’s when you need His strength the most.
When Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack Feldkirch, Austria, the people of the village didn’t know what to do. The citizens gathered in the local church to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday. The pastor said, “We have been relying on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord’s resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. Let’s praise Him, and put our trust in His mercy.” The people agreed, and the church bells were rung with vigor. The enemy, hearing the sudden peals of the bells, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived to defend the town. Before the service had ended, the enemy broke camp and left.
EVERYWHERE. FROM EAST TO WEST. PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Praise magnifies the Lord. When you use a magnifying glass, it doesn’t change the size of what you look at. It changes your perception.
