This chapter brought out my inner science nerd. The thought of a sword as a tuning instrument made me think of vibrations…and vibrations make sound…and sound makes praise…and praise means WORSHIP. And then I wondered what it must be like to see the Creation from God’s perspective. We look at the heavens from earth and marvel at the silent beauty, but did you know the heavens make music?
If you want to find inspiration for great praise songs, turn to the book of Psalms. Had you ever thought about your Sword containing songs of praise and worship to the Creator? Check out Psalms 148 today, then I want you to spend a little time watching this amazing video of Louis Giglio (God’s science nerd Supreme)
The sensitive microphones attached to the massive telescopes have recorded the stars singing praises to their Creator. The streams babble and the waves crash. The animals communicate and so do the humans. If the rocks can cry out in praise for the Father, why do we hold back? Take a few moments to consider How Great is Our God!?! He is Great and He is Worthy to be praised.
Lisa begins this chapter with the introduction of a truly amazing sword. I had seen flaming bladed swords on cartoons and movies, but never even considered they were a real thing. To learn that they were used in battle and were an asset to the one wielding the sword was truly amazing. My mind immediately went to the Garden of Eden and the angel with the flaming sword guarding the eastern gate to prevent Adam and Eve (and sin) from re-entering. As I studied, I found that most references to this kind of sword are inspired from the Bible accounts.
This sword causes vibrations which loosen the opponents grip and cause them to lose footing. The vibrations give the sword-bearer the upper hand. The same thing happens when the created ones praise the Creator. The power is in the praise. Lisa says, “as we sing…especially when we sing the Word…the airwaves begin to vibrate with sound, and the grip of the enemy slips as the friction between light and darkness increases” (p. 168). When we sing praises to God, the Father, the Creator, we join our vibrations with other humans, animals, and His creation to return thanks and worship to One Worthy to be praised.
The other thought that has plagued my mind today is this: If I get my feelings hurt when one of my kids withholds “thank you’s” and “I love you’s”, then how much more must God be hurt by our selfishness? The Psalms are full of examples of showing gratitude to the Father for everything that happens in our lives—good and bad. I don’t want to be an ungrateful child. I want to show my love and adoration unconditional. If you need guidance or a place to start, begin in Psalms and let your heart worship with the psalmist.
Today, let’s consider our favorite “ways to praise” or our favorite praise music and share it with someone. How Great Is Our God is one of my favorites from Chris Tomlin and Louis Giglio.
Share a link or verse or words from your favorite Praise and Worship music.
To God be the Glory!
Let Us Praise:
Psalms 148:13-14
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord!
Father, we want to be people close to Your heart. Forgive us when we forget to say ‘Thank You’ and ‘We Love You.’ Thank You for the glimpse into what You must hear on Your side of heaven. My heart is forever changed. Love You, Abba AMEN
About Teresa Bolme
My husband and I watched a movie last week. The knight had a flamberge. It was amazing to watch how he used it to cause the opponent’s sword to “fly” right out of his hands! I thought immediately about this chapter, and how our praise and worship disarms our enemy! I find that very exciting!
Psalm 145:5–“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your Majesty and on Your wondrous works.”
Michael W Smith wrote a beautiful worship chorus, “Majesty.” “Your grace has found me just as I am, empty handed but alive in Your hands. Majesty, Majesty; Forever I am changed by Your love, In the presence of Your Majesty.”
Thank you, Teresa, for sharing this video. It was awesome to join with God’s creations in praise and worship to Him!
Wow! How beautiful!! When I first began watching this video and listening to the many different sounds, my first thought was “I wonder how God handles all the different noises from earth, including all of our own chatter?” To me, listening to too many things at once, makes me irritable, and it hurts my ears. But when Giglio put this all together and began playing “How Great Is Our God”, my heart just burst! I could just see God on His throne with His eyes closed, head rested, and just breathing it all in, with a smile on His face. Wow, Teresa, what a beautiful demonstration to show us that God doesn’t care what we sound like when we praise Him. It’s nothing about how we sound. It’s all about just praising Him!
I have so MANY praise/worship songs that I love. Below are a few links to some of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwoCbcSXlSM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQzrqmcwg8o
Sorry about that….I didn’t know it was going to leave a huge video like that!!!! 🙂
What an amazing post, Teresa. I loved what Lisa Bevere said in the chapter and you just added some delicious icing to the cake! I’ve seen one other video by L.G. and I have been blown away by both of them. I always sing “How Great is Our God” with a lump in my throat, but this was beyond awesome in the truest meaning of the word! Thank you for such a powerful start to the week, Teresa! God bless!
teresa, i love this thought you shared with us: “The thought of a sword as a tuning instrument made me think of vibrations…and vibrations make sound…and sound makes praise…and praise means WORSHIP.” there is nothing that thrills my heart more than singing my praises to our AWEsome God…oh…and don’t you just love praising along WITH His creation?!? thanks, teresa, for posting this clip! what a joy! <3
one of the coolest things I have ever seen! and heard:) Love this chapter, because I love praising God. Revelation, 4:9-11 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. The first time I read this it brought me to tears. I always want to make sure that God is receiving all praise, glory and honor. I always want the elder’s to be on their knees praising God:)