WE DON’T CLAP TO PRAISE GOD
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).
It’s important to understand the spirituality of ministry and the place of music and expressions of worship in the house of God. Clapping, for instance, which many are very used to in church, is neither praise nor worship. While clapping is not wrong, it must be put in its proper place.
Clapping is applause; it’s a sign of approval or excitement. Spiritually, however, it doesn’t equate to praising or worshipping God. You’ve probably heard people say, “Let’s clap for Jesus.” But clapping is not how the Bible teaches us to worship or praise the Lord.
True worship is expressed with words, songs of the Spirit, and the lifting of our hands in reverence to God. For example, we saw from our opening scripture that the lifting of hands is an act of worship recognised in heaven. The New Testament praise and worship is in spirit and truth, as Jesus said the Father desires (John 4:23-24).
When a miracle happens, and people clap, they’re not praising God; they’re expressing approval or excitement. The danger is that in doing so, they sometimes neglect to give God the actual worship He deserves as a result of such a miracle. This is why we must be instructed by the Word. Worship must always be rooted in knowledge, not habit.
So, while clapping has its place as a human response to events, true praise and worship must come from your spirit, expressed through your words, songs, the lifting of your hands, and other expressions in worship that the Bible talks about. This is what glorifies the Lord. We may clap in celebration of victories, but that’s not praise: “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psalm 47:1).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the understanding of true worship and the revelation that we are the true circumcision that worship you in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Even now, I worship you from the bottom of my heart, for you’re the only true God, righteous, holy, just, gracious, pure and kind. Thank you for your glory in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you’re blessed by this devotional, believing every word you heard by faith in your heart, and would love to make Jesus the lord of your life, then speak the confessions below out loud, and mean them with your heart:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”
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Message by Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Dsc. Dsc. DD.
FURTHER STUDY
John 4:23–24 (KJV)
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Psalm 63:3–5 (NIV)
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 9:1–2 (KJV)
1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Mark 10:32-52;
Numbers 14-15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 24:1-9;
Psalm 56
