The High Praises

Recently a book by a man called Merlin Carothers came to my attention.  I was strongly encouraged to read it and what amazing timing!  I can only conclude this was my heavenly Father directing me.
This brother has been with the Lord for some time now, but when here he had incredible revelation about the matter of praising the Lord at all times, for all things.  There is a verse in Ephesians 5:20 which does instruct us to do exactly this.
But why thank Him for all things?  There is something divine that happens when we do. In fact, "the Lord inhabits, dwells in the praises of His saints."  When trials come as they will, do we not want HIS Presence with us in them?  Absolutely!   Our soul is so easily distressed, but praising in the midst of trials subdues the anxiety, the sadness, the negative moods of any kind.

The Bible says that we believers have "the mind of Christ."  When I checked the Greek meaning for 'mind' in this Scripture I found it includes not only thoughts, but also emotion and desires.  So.o.o.o....it looks as if we have two minds--HIS and our unrenewed one.  Which one will rule us?  Which one will "have dominion over" the other?    I am finding in a very wonderful way, that by verbally praising out loud, the Lord causes HIS mind to subdue my natural one...and the 'double mindedness' that I have so often endured is ended. Will there be more battles this way? Sure! But I can "settle it in my heart"  that I will praise Him!
Again in Psalm 149 there are some amazing verses. (I just love the Bible!!) "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand."  Have you ever considered what the 'high' praises are??   In Hebrew here, the word indicates the abundant, satiating, running over, flowing almost to produce a sense of drunkenness.
Then the "two edged sword in my hand."  So,o,o,o  we praise first, and then we discover we have authority in the battle!  The next verses go on to say..."to bind the kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron. This honour (magnificent splendor) have all His saints."
Oh, to just dare to actually do this at every times...in every trial!!!
Many people I know have been undergoing severe trials in their lives. I believe our Lord is teaching us how to endure in victory!  Let's dare to praise Him...to "always rejoice!"