This session, titled "Praising," introduces the subtitle "worship as a weapon". The speaker clarifies that praising involves first giving praise to God, and then also complimenting one's spouse. He uses Psalms 34, a psalm of David written "when he pretended madness before Abimelech" while fleeing from Saul, to illustrate this concept. David, despite being desperate, afraid, and acting mad, had his "fears, his sadness, and his madness... altered by his praise". David cried out for help and was delivered, showing that true worship is the "highest and noblest activity". When problems arise, the natural tendency is to worry or become anxious, but worship is the main weapon against life's problems. David continually blessed the Lord, and God delivered him from his fears. The speaker emphasizes focusing on God's promises rather than the problems, asserting that "no problem is stronger than God".
Further biblical examples demonstrate the power of worship:
• Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-26): Thrown into the "inner prison" and chained, they prayed and sang hymns to God at midnight. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the prison, opening all doors and loosening everyone's chains. This illustrates that God moves in the midst of praising and praying, providing an opportunity for God to work.
• Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:1-20): When attacked by a great multitude from three nations, Jehoshaphat "feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast". Before the battle was even won, or had even begun, he worshipped the Lord. A prophet declared, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's". Jehoshaphat's worship acknowledged God's sovereignty, reminding that we live under a mighty God, not our problems.
The Pastor Robert Nettles highlights that worship reminds our hearts where our hope lies. While problems may not disappear immediately, the devil's threats are diminished. He shares a personal testimony of repenting from complaining about his ministry call and learning to give God an opportunity to work through simple prayer and hymns, which loosens chains of discouragement and depression. Concluding, the speaker encourages couples to worship the Lord together, holding hands, acknowledging that their combined praise magnifies God and helps to manage the binding issues in marriage. This corporate worship, as the bride and groom together, is a way to give God center stage in their lives and marriages.
