Introduction: Pains, Processes, and the Praise That Changes Everything
For 3 weeks I have been preaching on the series “Forged Character” and today I will share the last message of the series. We have seen that difficulties, pains, relationship problems, and tribulations are not deviations from the path, but rather God’s own divine process to mould in us a character in the image of Christ.
The truth is that difficulties, pains, and tribulations are an undeniable reality for all of us. The Bible is clear that on the path to reach our promise, we will all pass through valleys. Many of us ardently desire God’s promise – the double blessing, the rain in the desert, deliverance – but, when undergoing the divine process of character forging, we fail.
You can either go into the “desert” and die or you can go and find God.
Many enter the desert and instead of finding God, being transformed and coming out with the character of Jesus, they will find it that they keep having the need to return to the desert even if they manage to get out.
We fail because we focus on the pain, the problem, the desert; we focus on others, seeing flaws in everyone, but we fail to look into our own hearts.
Remember that the ones who ‘promoted’ Joseph to Governor in Egypt were his brothers who betrayed him and sold him into slavery!
Your difficulties, your relationship problems, your tribulations can destroy your future, your calling, or they can place you at the centre of God’s will.
Everything will depend on your reaction, whether you will remain hurt, wounded, or whether you will humble yourself, surrender, and worship God.
Today, I want to show you that the Bible teaches us a way out of the desert, it reveals a secret that transforms the process and activates the promise: PRAISE. The Bible shows us, repeatedly, that when God’s people choose to humble themselves and praise in times of pain, persecution, uncertainty, and scarcity, circumstances are drastically altered. These people did not fail in the process but were exalted through it.
The Transformative Power of Worship: Testimonies of Faith and Miracles
As we turn the pages of the Bible, we are constantly reminded of how powerfully God manifests Himself through praise and worship. However, often, amidst the challenges of our daily lives, we may feel that this divine manifestation seems distant. But I tell you: God still moves! He continues to work miracles in the lives of those who seek Him with all their hearts. As I meditated on this truth, the Lord brought to my memory some miracles that I personally experienced. These miracles happened precisely when I was going through great struggles and, in the middle of these hardships, I humbled myself, prayed, and worshipped.
- The Audible Voice of God in the “Desert of Struggle”
Years ago, I was facing an intense and disheartening struggle. One night of great anguish, I went to a solitary place, in the middle of a bush, where I knelt to pray and worship God. In that moment of deep surrender, something unprecedented happened: I HEARD the voice of God audibly. It was an experience that marked my life forever, confirming His real and active presence even in my most difficult moments. He spoke to me, bringing comfort, direction, and peace.
- Instant Healing Through Praise Amidst Pain Many of you already know this testimony, but it is always good to remember the faithfulness of our God. One time, after eating fish, a large fishbone got stuck in my throat, causing me a lot of pain and discomfort. Even so, I decided not to miss the service and went to church. Arriving there, instead of complaining or seeking relief in other ways, I knelt during the worship time and began to worship God. I focused on praise, surrendering my pain and my faith. At the end of that period of worship, to my surprise and joy, the fishbone had completely disappeared from my throat! I was instantly healed while worshipping the Lord.
- The Angelic Vision and the Promise of Citizenship in Ireland The third testimony demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all circumstances. There was a period when I received an official letter from the Irish government, informing me that I should leave the country. My heart tightened, and uncertainty took over. Faced with that adversity, I knelt, cried, and amidst my tears, I began to lift my hands and worship God. And, suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared before me! He clearly showed me two passports, and God spoke to me with an unmistakable voice: “You will not leave, and you will be an Irish citizen!” Today I am an Irish citizen, living proof that the word of the Lord is faithfully fulfilled in our lives. In all these miracles, the key was the same: I was on my knees, worshipping God in the midst of pain and difficulties.
The Praise Attracts Rain: Forging Character and Releasing Promise.
Are you in a spiritual desert? In a Dry Place? Suffering, going through a difficult time? God’s Word also comforts us in Isaiah 41:17-18: “
The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on barren heights, and springs in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.” Isaiah 41:17-18
If you are going through a desert, know that you are not alone and that this is not your final condition. According to God’s Word, there is a way out, and it begins with a powerful action: worship.
Praise is the path that transforms barrenness into abundance and silence into divine communication.
It is the attitude of the “prisoner of hope” who refuses to be a prisoner of anxiety and, instead, attracts the rain of God. To understand how to get out of the desert and not fail in the process, we first need to grasp a fundamental spiritual principle: the direct connection between worshipping God and divine response, and how this worship, even amidst pain, activates the promise and transforms adversity.
The Fundamental Principle: No Worship, No Rain
In the book of Zechariah, chapter 14, we find a powerful spiritual law that governs divine provision. The text states that families who do not go up to worship will receive no rain.
Zechariah 14:17: “If any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain.”
The lesson is direct and unmistakable: no worship, no rain. This is not a principle of bargaining with God, but a revelation of how the spiritual Kingdom was designed to operate: our worship aligns our spiritual atmosphere with God’s, allowing His blessings to flow. In other words:
“No worship, no rain. The way out of the dry place is: If you send worship upwards, God will send the rain of His provision, His plan, His purpose, and His will to shower upon you.”
But how exactly does our praise transform into God’s “rain”? The answer resides in a beautiful metaphor that illustrates this divine process.
- The Metaphor of Rain: The Cycle of “Invisible Vapours”
The natural cycle of rain offers us a precise theological analogy to understand this process. The connection between the sound of worship and the sound of rain is ancient. In the book of Job, the patriarch reflects on the sound of God’s tabernacle and declares that it sounded “like clouds and rain.”
As it is written in Job 36:27-29: “He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from the mist he makes; the clouds pour down their moisture and shower freely on humankind. Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the sound of His Tabernacle?”
Worship — the “sound of the tabernacle” — is intrinsically linked to the formation of the clouds that bring blessing. The process can be divided into four clear stages:
The Beginning: The sun shines on the waters of lakes and oceans, causing “invisible vapours” to rise towards the sky.
The Ascent: These vapours rise and accumulate in the atmosphere. Although invisible to the naked eye, they are constantly moving upwards. Cloud Formation:
The more vapours rise, the more they unite and condense, forming clouds that become increasingly thick.
The Rain: Finally, when the clouds are full, they release the accumulated water, and the rain begins to fall, bringing life to the dry land.
The spiritual lesson here is profound: If nothing goes up, nothing comes down. Our praise and worship are the “invisible vapours” we send to God. Each act of worship contributes to the forming of these “clouds” of blessings over our lives. If worship sends these ‘vapours’ that form the clouds of blessings, what are the practical forms of worship?
- The Nine Expressions of Praise That Form Clouds
The Bible describes multiple ways to express praise, which are the spiritual “vapours” we send to God. These expressions can be grouped into three main categories, involving our hands, our voice, and our entire body.
With Your Hands
- Raising hands: This is an act of surrender and honour, recognising God’s sovereignty over all circumstances. Scripture teaches us: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2).
- Clapping hands: This is a prophetic act of celebrating God’s victory even before it fully manifests. The Psalmist invites us: “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” (Psalm 47:1).
- Playing instruments: Music becomes an extension of our praise, creating an atmosphere for God’s presence. The book of Psalms exhorts us: “Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5).
With Your Voice
- Speaking your praise: It is the act of verbally declaring God’s goodness, greatness, and faithfulness, even when feelings do not align. As we read: “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (Psalm 105:2). And also: “My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let all of life praise his holy name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:21).
- Singing your praise: Melody joins truth to express the heart’s worship, sending vapours of gratitude to heaven. The Bible instructs us: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:1). And again: “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Psalm 104:33).
- Shouting your praise: This is a cry of faith and spiritual warfare, declaring triumph over oppression. We are encouraged: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth; burst into jubilant song with music.” (Psalm 98:4).
With Your Whole Body
- Standing up: A posture of reverence, respect, and readiness to receive from God and act on His Word. We see this in Nehemiah: “Then the Levites said, ‘Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting!’” (Nehemiah 9:5).
- Kneeling: This is an act of total humility and submission, recognising that He is in control. The Word calls us: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6).
- Dancing: An expression of exuberant joy and freedom, celebrating God’s goodness without reservation. We see David’s example: “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Samuel 6:14). These actions are not just physical movements or sounds; they have tremendous spiritual power, capable of changing impossible circumstances, as we see in biblical examples.
Some Christians say: “I don’t dance because I don’t like it, I don’t kneel because I don’t feel comfortable or I don’t like to raise my hands!” It is not a matter of liking it, but of obedience to the Word of God.
- The Transformative Power in Action: The Example of Paul and Silas
One of the most powerful demonstrations of the power of praise is found in the story of Paul and Silas, recorded in the book of Acts. The enemy made a crucial mistake: not by imprisoning them, flogging them, or chaining them, but by putting them in the same cell. In doing so, he inadvertently created an environment for Jesus’ promise to be fulfilled: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20).
- Their Condition: They were in prison, in the darkest hour of the night — “midnight”. Their hands and feet were bound in chains. The situation seemed hopeless.
- Their Action: Instead of complaining or despairing, they “began to sing hymns to God”. Their praise became their weapon in the darkness.
- The Immediate Result: In direct response to their praise, the Bible reports in Acts of the Apostles 16:25-26: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
The lesson is clear: praise opens all doors. It opens the door to resources, to joy, to hope, and to dreams that seemed lost. When you praise, the chains that bind you begin to break. Just as praise freed Paul and Silas, it can also free you and bring the change you hope for.
Conclusion: Activate the Rain of Blessings in Your Life
This message reveals a transformative principle that can change your reality. When applying it, remember these key concepts:
- Your “dry place” (desert) is not the end; it is an invitation humble yourself and worship.
- God uses difficult encounters with people to transform your character.
- You can choose to perish in the ‘desert’ or to encounter God.
- Remember, it was Joseph’s betraying brothers who, unintentionally, ‘promoted’ him to Governor in Egypt!
- Your praise functions as “invisible vapours” that rise to God.
- These vapours form “clouds” that bring the “rain” of God’s provision, purpose, and presence.
- Praise is a powerful weapon that breaks chains and opens doors. Start praising exactly where you are.
Do not wait for circumstances to change; use praise to change them. By doing so, God promises to release three fundamental things over you: wisdom, favour, and anointing.
May God bless you!