Shifting Focus From Troubles to Thanksgiving & Praise
Bible Reading:
• Oh Lord, our God, How excellent is Your name, in all the earth...
- Psalm 8:1-9
• In everything give thanks…”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1
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• “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1
Points of Focus:
• What it Means to Thank and to Praise God
• Notable Bible characters who praised God before, during or after battles, thereby showing faith, worship, and gratitude even in times of conflict.
• The Benefits of Praising God Through Challenges or Why Should I Praise God Through my Challenges?
1. Praising God
Definition: Acknowledging God's greatness, character, and deeds—worshiping Him for who He is.
• Examples:
• “God, You are holy, mighty, faithful, and just.”
• “I praise You for Your power, Your mercy, and Your love.”
2. Thanking God
Definition: Expressing gratitude for what God has done—His blessings, protection, provision, and answered prayers.
• Examples:
• “Thank You for waking me up today.”
• “Thank You for healing, for strength, for Your guidance.”
Summary:
• Praise = Worship God for His nature (for Who He is).
• Thanks = Gratitude for His actions (for all He has done).
Therefore, to praise and thank God means to express your love, reverence, and gratitude to Him for who He is and for what He has done.
Both are powerful forms of spiritual connection that deepen your relationship with God and invite His presence into your life.
Notable Bible characters who praised God before, during, or after battles, showing faith, worship, and gratitude even in times of conflict:
1. Jehoshaphat
• Reference: 2 Chronicles 20
• Battle Context: Faced with a massive enemy army (Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites).
• Praise Moment: By divine instruction, he appointed singers to praise God before the army went to battle. As they sang, God set ambushes and defeated the enemies.
Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever. – 2 Chronicles 20:21
2. David
• Reference: 1 Samuel 17, The Book of Psalms
• Battle Context: Defeated Goliath and led many military victories.
• Praise Moment: He praised God in songs and psalms before, during, and after battles.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer…” – Psalm 18:2
3. Paul and Silas (Spiritual battle)
• Reference: Acts 16:25–26
• Battle Context: Imprisoned for preaching.
• Praise Moment: They sang hymns at midnight during their battles in chains in a seemingly hopeless situation; an earthquake opened the prison doors.
• Key Verse:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…” – Acts 16:25
4. Gideon
• Reference: Judges 7
• Battle Context: God used Gideon and 300 men to defeat the Midianites.
• Praise Moment: Gideon worshipped God after hearing a dream interpretation from the enemy camp.
• Key Verse:
“When Gideon heard the dream… he worshiped God.” – Judges 7:15
5. Deborah & Barak
• Reference: Judges 4–5
• Battle Context: Victory over Sisera’s army.
• Praise Moment: Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory and praise.
• Key Verse:
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the Lord…” – Judges 5:3
6. Moses & Miriam
• Reference: Exodus 15
• Battle Context: After God destroyed Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea.
• Praise Moment: Moses led a song of triumph; Miriam led the women with tambourines.
• Key Verse:
I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and its rider hat been thrown into the sea.The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. – Exodus 15:1-2
Praising and giving God thanks before and during challenges are powerful spiritual acts with both spiritual and practical benefits.
Why?
Benefits of Praising God Through Challenges
1. It Invites God's Presence
• Scripture: "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." – Psalm 22:3
• Benefit: Praise creates a spiritual atmosphere where God’s presence dwells, bringing peace and divine intervention.
2. It Shifts Focus from Problems to God
Scriptures: I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.... Psalm 121:1-2
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. - Psalm 56:9
• Benefit: Praise lifts your eyes above the situation and reminds you of God’s power and faithfulness.
3. It Strengthens Faith
• Scripture: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." – Romans 10:17
• Benefit: Declaring God’s goodness reinforces your belief that He is in control and will deliver you.
4. It Brings Supernatural Breakthrough
• Example: Jehoshaphat's army praised, and God set ambushes (2 Chronicles 20).
• Benefit: Praise can cause miraculous turnarounds when human strength fails.
5. It Destroys Fear and Anxiety
• Scripture: "Do not be anxious... with thanksgiving, present your requests..." – Philippians 4:6-7
• Benefit: Praise replaces worry with peace, anchoring you in God's promises.
6. It Confuses the Enemy
• Example: When God's people praised, enemies often turned on each other (2 Chronicles 20:22-23).
• Benefit: The devil loses power over a worshiping heart.
7. It Unlocks Joy and Strength
• Scripture: "The joy of the Lord is your strength." – Nehemiah 8:10
• Benefit: Praise releases joy, which fuels resilience and strength.
8. It Promotes Gratitude and Humility
• Scripture:
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet....
- Psalm 8:3-6
• Benefit: Praise reminds us that God is the source of every victory we have - not our own efforts.
9. The Reason We live is to Praise God.
The people whom I formed for myself will declare my praise.
- Isaiah 43:21
Benefit: The only way we can appreciate God for His unfailing love is to be a living sacrifice of praise, worship, and thanksgiving to Him while we live. We were created to worship Him because He is the reason why we breath. In Him we live, move, and have our being.
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
- Revelation 4:11
Song Thou Art worthy Oh Lord....
• Altar Call
Prayer
1. Lord, here I am, purge me, make me Your oracle of praise and Thanksgiving for the rest of my life, in Jesus' name
2. Father, by Your grace, let every aspect of my life and family glorify You till the end, in Jesus' name.
3. Henceforth, Lord, Let my life and family become a living proof to the world that thanksgiving and praises unto You works wonders, in Jesus' name.
4. Lord, I receive the fresh grace from You to praise, worship, and thank You, all the days of my life, in Jesus' name
5. As I honour You, oh Lord, touch and settle me in every area of my life and family, in Jesus' name.
6. Give God praise and thanks!
Jesus Is Lord!
Amen!
Through Ayobola Olusegun-Emmanuel
