Focus: Esteeming Your God

Text: Act.16:25

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

Today the Lord has asked me to tell you to esteem Him. Praise the Lord your God. Give Him glory even when there seems to be no hope on the horizon. Paul and Silas were thrown into prison and chained, but at midnight they prayed to God and praised His name. Chains could not hinder them from glorifying God. No force of imprisonment could deter them from lifting up their voices to God in prayer and praise. Suffering for Christ's sake was normal for them. While worshipping the Lord, the Scripture says that "suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed all" (Act.16:26). O yes, the Lord inhabits the praises of His people and His ears are attentive to their sweet-smelling prayers! On His way to the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples sang a hymn to His Father in heaven (Mt.26:30). Praise the Lord regardless of what it is that you are going through! Sing a hymn to the Lord! Bow down to Him. Sing His praises! Kneel before Him in utter surrender!

Your God works wonders and miracles, and He has a great plan for your life. Join Moses to say, "I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea" (Ex.15:1). Join the psalmist to declare, "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Ps.34:1).

Even in your mess, esteem your God! Even at the crossroads of life, exalt His name. Even if your back is against the wall and everything around you seems to be falling apart, look up and esteem your God. Even if you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and you don't know what to do, just let God be God. Praise Him!

The psalmist says, "Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands" (Ps.66:1). He continues, "The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea" (Ps.93:4). Again, he says, "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp" (Ps.149:3). That is what God demands of you: praise.

In chapter 16 of 1Chronicles, we find a couple of divine imperatives. As they brought the Ark of the Covenant and set it in its own place, David says to the people:

"Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD…

"Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations…

"Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place…

"Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength…

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (1Chron.16:10,24,27,28,29).

I pray you comply with these divine imperatives and just praise your God until He makes Himself manifest in every area of your life! Regardless of what you are facing in your life right now, this is your prayer and praise time. It is your prophetic moment. God is ready to show up in your life. It is time for Him to act in your favor. It is testimony time! Sing His praises and get ready to testify! The jail house is about to be shaken up from its very foundation and its doors set to swing open for you. Praise the Lord! Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter