Morning by Morning, August 16 - Power of Positive Praising
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd of my soul, let me hear Your voice and follow Your lead. ...
"So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went, Johoshaphat stood and said, 'Hear me, O Judah and your inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.' And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: 'Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.' When they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated" (2 Chronicles 20:20-22 NKJV).
Some speak of the power of positive thinking. And it's true that "as (one) thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). You said, "According to your faith let it be to you" (Matthew 9:29). But Your Word also speaks of the power of positive praising, as when King Johoshaphat and all the people of Israel rose early in the morning and began to praise the beauty of Your holiness and proclaim their faith in Your mercy that endures forever. As they worshiped You, You set an ambush for their enemies and defeated their plans to destroy Your people.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). And one of the mightiest weapons of our warfare is worship and praise. When we worship You and praise You, when we lift up our eyes and our hearts to You, we remember the One who is our help, the One who never ceases to war in the heavens on our behalf (Psalm 121:1-2). In You, our victory is won and the battle belongs to the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:15).
So as I rise up early this morning, my first thoughts are not of the battle of the day or the enemies of my soul or even the needs of my family or the calling of my ministry. My first thoughts are of You. My first acts are worship and praise. "Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth... For He is coming, for His is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth" (Psalm 96:8-13). By the grace of God in the leading of Your Spirit, this is the power of positive praising. And I'll be excited to look and see the deliverance of the Lord (Psalm 18:17). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
I pray you will see the mighty deliverance of our God on your behalf, as you rise early in the morning to worship and praise the Lord in the beauty of His holiness, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Friends, thank you so much for all the encouraging notes and prayers! Please continue to join with me in prayer for a close friend of mine and his family, as he continues to go through his trial this week. Please pray for courage for the judge who has taken the Motion to Acquit under consideration, in a rare move, before the case is given to the jury to decide their verdict probably early this week. Please continue to join with me to press through in prayer until the end for him and his family. By the grace of God, this trial seems to be going exceptionally well, with more truth being revealed every day. We pray for clarity, discernment, that all things be exposed in the light of the truth, that the judge and jury may discern and judge rightly, as well as for the favor and mercy of the Lord for my friend and his family. And may God cause all of this to work together for good. We trust that the battle is won in the Spirit, as we pray for it to be manifested on earth as it is in heaven. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Please share this word to encourage a friend!
