Power in Praise? Really? No, REALLY!

I generally don't subscribe to popular thought for the sake of embarrassment.  It generally takes me a while to catch on to what is being said and most of the time, the new thought becomes old and outdated before I'm anywhere close to accepting it.  Yep, I know, that doesn't make much sense.  Suffice it to say, I like to wait and see on theories and ideas to see if they actually bear the weight of time.

I've been listening to a series of lectures by Dr. Steve Seamands on the Introduction to Systematic Theology.  Wow!  What a great opportunity to learn from one of our best.  He gave a devotional that has been really good for me to work on.  I haven't mastered the concept yet, but it makes sense.  I'm going to try to explain it in very short detail here because the punchline is what is important.

Back in the 1970's, one of those "new" thoughts emerged that had to do with praise.  It was something like, God works when we praise Him.  I remember a song that the Imperials sang back then:

Praise the Lord; He can work through those that praise Him. 

Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise.  

Praise the Lord, for the chains that seek to bind you 

Serve only to remind you

That they drop powerless behind you 

When you praise Him.

Great song.  Popular thought.  I didn't give it much thought ... until now.  Dr. Seamands pointed out what happens when you praise God.  In praise, we are really acknowledging God's position in our lives.  Essentially, we are admitting to Him, ourselves, and any who hear us, that He is in control, that we are subject to Him, that we trust Him.  That's the punchline.  We submit to His authority when we praise Him.  God can then work through our praise because we are submitting to His authority. Friends, "There's gold in them thar hills!"  Think about it.  In the midst of a test or trial, we stop to praise Him.  In the midst of it, we are acknowledging His place in our lives and our dependence on Him.  Sooooo, whether it's a written test or a test of the soul, praise Him.

Last Saturday, we had a memorial service for the District Superintendent of our district, Ron Balzer, his wife, Tammy, and their granddaughter.  They were killed in a tragic car accident in August in Valdosta, GA. I'm still shocked that this happened.  He was a great guy, a good leader; the kind of guy you'd just love to be around. He could be serious but could also lighten the moment with a broad smile and an offhand joke.  He will be sorely missed by many.  YET, even in the midst of this tragic loss, we praise God.  We don't praise God because Ron, Tammy, and their granddaughter died, but because God is!  I realize that's an awkward place to end a sentence (God is what!), but that's the point.  We praise Him because He is, He exists, He is aware, He cares, He is God.  Because He is God, I acknowledge His love for me, for the Balzers, and all those who are experiencing loss and pain.

I must admit, I hesitate to post this.  The second I submit it, it's possible I'll encounter some trying circumstance.  In other words, I'll have an opportunity to practice what I preach.  Believe me, immediate trial or not, I want to be "that person".  God helping me, I will!  Join me?