Ps 22:22-26
22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. KJV
Testifying of God’s goodness to you is a form of praise. Your word of praise may come at the exact time a member of the congregation needs to hear it for they may be going through the same thing or will be in the near future. So often the people of God get into a rut with corporate worship that your word of praise may be what is needed to pull people out of the rut as they hear that God is still moving among them individually. We like our sermons and music and often we leave as we left because we think all that praise and all that exhortation is going to help someone, but not us. Then one of us stands up and speaks to the mighty moving of God in their life in an area we also are experiencing though we may feel God doesn’t care about it because it is too small or because we are not worthy. Then when we hear another brother, not just the leadership, speak of God moving we are encouraged because if God can do if for Brother Ron, then He may well be doing the same thing in my life or is willing to do it if I will but praise Him!
I have often wondered if God went on vacation or something when there was dead silence when the pastor asked for testimonies. Oh, the hands fly up for prayer, but everyone shuts up when it comes to praise. Has it really been years since God did something for you? Are you that ungrateful or shy? Have you never been afflicted and He came to your need and answered your call? Then it is time you praised Him for His patience with you and that you are still here if He isn’t doing anything for you or maybe you better make your call and election sure. Let there be no confusion about what should be our profusion of praise!
