A Declaration of Praise

“All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen’” (Revelation 7:12).

Before the creation of man, there were songs of praise being sung about the majesty and glory of God. There were heavenly hosts gathered around the throne, declaring the power of God and worshiping Him, and there are still praises being raised now in heaven. But declarations of praise are not just reserved for heaven. They are also for us to declare now.
           
As you celebrate this season with your loved ones, what will your declaration be? Will we be people who are so focused on our financial burdens, dinner preparations, or the stress of the holiday rush that we fail to remember that we ourselves are homes of praise?
           
We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, our hearts are houses of praise fashioned for God. Our homes, while they might be chaotic during the holidays, should be resolute with the power and presence of God. Let’s not get lost in the babbling of the world or listen to the temptations of the enemy. Let’s remain with hearts set on the Lord, thanking Him, speaking His promises over our homes, and praising Him for His great love and pursuit of us every day.
           
Joshua said, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
We must choose to serve the Lord in everything that we do and in every season, but imagine how it blesses the Lord when His children take the extra time and make the extra effort at the anniversary of His birth to praise Him. God loves special occasions just like we do. Christmas is a special season to commemorate the birth of Jesus and join in with heaven a little more in bringing praises before Him.

There’s always time for worshiping Him because there’s always cause to worship Him.
           
Just as Joshua declared the Lord would be over his own home, let’s ask ourselves what we will declare this season. How will we let Christ be at the center of our hearts, and what songs of praise will we bring before Him? Let’s declare His peace instead of hostility. Let’s declare His patience instead of aggravation, and let’s declare His joy instead of worry. Sing your song out loud to Him and join with heaven in a halleluiah chorus, declaring His promises over your home and over your community.
           
We are people of praise—let it be on earth as it is in heaven.