Power of Praise: Inviting God's Presence in Trials

Devotional

Day 1: God Hears Our Cry in the Midst of Trouble

No matter how heavy the burdens or how deep the valley, when you lift your voice to God, He hears you. There is power in calling out to the Lord, especially in times of distress, uncertainty, or pain. When you cry out, you can trust that God will respond—He will send help, turn situations around, and bring comfort to your soul. Even when you feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world, remember that God is attentive to your voice and ready to move on your behalf. Don’t be afraid to call on His name, for He is near to the brokenhearted and delivers those who are crushed in spirit. [50:37]

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV)
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Reflection: What is one specific burden or situation you need to cry out to God about today? Take a moment to lift your voice to Him, trusting that He hears you and will respond.

Day 2: Make a Joyful Noise—Worship as a Weapon

Amidst the noise of the world—troubles, distractions, and negativity—God calls His people to make a different kind of noise: a joyful noise of praise. This noise is not just for show; it is a declaration of faith that drowns out the enemy’s schemes and shifts the atmosphere around you. Whether you are outgoing or reserved, you can express your gratitude and worship in your own way, letting your praise become a testimony of God’s goodness. When you make a joyful noise, you are not only obeying God’s command but also inviting His presence and power into your circumstances. [01:04:48]

Psalm 98:1, 4-6 (ESV)
Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Reflection: In what practical way can you make a joyful noise to God today—at home, at work, or in your community—to shift the atmosphere and declare His goodness?

Day 3: Remembering God’s Marvelous Deeds Inspires Praise

Reflecting on all the marvelous things God has done—how He has kept you, loved you, and provided for you—naturally leads to heartfelt praise. When you recall the ways God has brought you through trials, opened doors, and answered prayers, gratitude wells up and compels you to give Him glory. This remembrance is not just for your benefit; it is a testimony to others of God’s faithfulness and a reminder that He is still working miracles today. Let your praise be rooted in the memory of God’s goodness, and don’t be afraid to let others know just how good He has been to you. [01:14:19]

Psalm 105:1-2 (ESV)
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Reflection: Take a few minutes to write down three specific things God has done for you in the past year. How can you share one of these testimonies with someone else this week?

Day 4: Your Praise Can Break Down Walls

Just as the Israelites’ shout brought down the walls of Jericho, your praise has the power to break through obstacles and strongholds in your life. Sometimes God calls you to be silent and wait, but there comes a moment when He instructs you to lift your voice in faith. When you obey and make a sound of victory, God moves in supernatural ways—walls fall, doors open, and breakthroughs happen. Don’t underestimate the impact of your praise; it can shift your circumstances and bring about the change you’ve been praying for. [01:28:50]

Joshua 6:15-16, 20 (ESV)
On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.”
So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

Reflection: What is one “wall” or obstacle you are facing right now? How can you intentionally praise God in the midst of it, trusting Him to bring it down?

Day 5: God Created You to Worship—Let Your Life Be Praise

You were not created for wealth, status, or comfort, but to worship and glorify God. Every day, creation itself praises Him—the birds sing, the trees wave, and the wind blows in worship. How much more should you, who have experienced God’s love and faithfulness, lift your voice and offer your life as praise? Even when you feel broken, weary, or unworthy, God desires your worship and promises to renew and revive you. Let your praise be authentic, not just noise for noise’s sake, but a true offering that lifts God up and draws others to Him. [01:42:13]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one area of your daily routine where you can intentionally turn your focus to worshiping God, making your life a living sacrifice of praise?

Sermon Summary

There is something powerful about lifting our voices to God, especially in the midst of trials and uncertainty. When we call on the name of Jesus, we are not just making noise—we are inviting the presence and power of God into our situations. No matter what we face—whether it’s bills piling up, a troubling diagnosis, or the weight of the world pressing down—God hears us. There is a shift in the atmosphere when we call on His name, and we can trust that He will turn things around, mend what is broken, and dispatch help from heaven.

We live in a world filled with noise—news, politics, division, and distractions that can drown out the voice of God. But just as noise-canceling headphones help us focus on what matters, we must learn to block out the chaos and tune our hearts to God. Yet, we are not called to be silent. Scripture commands us to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to sing a new song, and to let our praise be louder than our problems. Our noise is not just for show; it is a declaration of God’s goodness, a weapon against the enemy, and a testimony to those around us.

Obedience to God includes praising Him, even when life is hard. Sometimes, the only way through the valley is to sing our way out, to remember the hymns and songs that have carried us and our ancestors through difficult times. Our praise is not about perfection or performance—it’s about gratitude for the marvelous things God has done. When we remember His faithfulness, we cannot help but make some noise.

But let our noise be the right kind—noise that lifts God up, not puts others down. Our praise should change the atmosphere wherever we go, whether at work, at home, or in the sanctuary. Even on our worst days, God calls us to make some noise, trusting that He is working all things for our good. As we lift our voices, we invite others to experience the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. He loves us just as we are, and He is always ready to meet us in our brokenness, to heal, deliver, and restore.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Calling on Jesus When we lift our voices and call on the name of Jesus, we are not simply uttering words—we are invoking the authority and presence of the One who can change every situation. Even when the weight of the world is on our shoulders, calling on Jesus brings comfort, hope, and the assurance that help is on the way. There is no name higher, no power greater, and when we call on Him, things begin to shift in the spiritual realm. [50:37]
2. Drowning Out the World’s Noise The world is filled with distractions and disturbances that can easily consume our attention and sap our spiritual strength. Like noise-canceling headphones, we must intentionally block out the chaos and focus on God’s voice. This spiritual discipline allows us to hear God more clearly and respond to Him with faith, rather than being overwhelmed by the negativity around us. [64:48]
3. Making a Joyful Noise as an Act of Obedience God commands us to make a joyful noise—not just when life is easy, but especially in seasons of trial. Our praise is an act of obedience and trust, a way of declaring that God is good even when circumstances are not. Singing a new song, even if we can’t carry a tune, is a way to remind ourselves and others of God’s marvelous works and steadfast love. [68:21]
4. The Transformative Power of Praise Praise is not just for Sunday mornings; it is a lifestyle that can change the atmosphere wherever we go. When we choose to praise God in our workplaces, homes, and communities, we disrupt negativity and invite God’s presence to bring healing and breakthrough. Our noise should lift God up and inspire others, not tear people down or add to the world’s chaos. [79:08]
5. Praise in the Midst of the Battle Just as the walls of Jericho fell when God’s people shouted in obedience, our praise has the power to bring down strongholds in our lives. Even when we face impossible situations, God calls us to make some noise—not out of routine, but out of faith that He is able to do the miraculous. Our willingness to praise in the valley is often the key to our victory and breakthrough. [88:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:37] - The Power of Calling on Jesus
[58:08] - Praise Break and Testimony
[59:53] - Reading Psalm 98
[63:02] - The Noise of the World
[64:48] - Spiritual Noise-Canceling
[68:21] - Singing a New Song
[69:23] - The Hymns That Carry Us
[74:19] - Remembering God’s Marvelous Works
[78:08] - Making the Right Kind of Noise
[79:08] - Changing the Atmosphere with Praise
[81:08] - Praise in the Midst of Trials
[87:57] - Shout for Victory
[88:50] - The Jericho Principle: Praise Brings Down Walls
[96:50] - Invitation and Prayer
[102:13] - Created to Worship
[113:26] - Sanctuary Update and Announcements
[115:43] - Offering and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 98 (ESV) — > Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
> His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
> The Lord has made known his salvation;
> he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
> He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
> All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
> Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
> break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
> Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
> With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
> Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
> Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together
> before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
> He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 98, what are some of the reasons given for singing a new song and making a joyful noise to the Lord?
In the sermon, what are some examples the pastor gives of “noise” in the world that can distract us from God? [[01:03:02]]
What does the pastor say happens when we call on the name of Jesus in the midst of our trials? [[50:37]]
How does the sermon describe the difference between the “noise” we make for God and the noise of the world? [[01:19:08]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the psalmist commands “all the earth” to make a joyful noise, not just individuals or Israel? What does this say about the scope of God’s goodness?
The pastor compares spiritual focus to using noise-canceling headphones. What does it mean to “block out the noise” spiritually, and why is it necessary? [[01:04:48]]
The sermon says our praise is an act of obedience, not just a response to good times. Why might God command us to praise Him even when life is hard? [[01:08:21]]
The story of Jericho is used as an example of praise bringing down walls. What does this suggest about the power of praise in our own battles? [[01:28:50]]

Application Questions

The pastor said, “When I lift my voice unto you, I know that help is on the way.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to call on Jesus out loud? What would it look like for you to do that this week? [[50:37]]
What is one “noise” or distraction in your life that is making it hard to hear God’s voice? What practical step can you take to “block out” that noise this week? [[01:04:48]]
The sermon encourages us to make a joyful noise even when we don’t feel like it. Can you remember a time when praising God in a hard season changed your perspective or situation? Would you be willing to share that with the group? [[01:21:08]]
The pastor talked about singing hymns and songs that have carried us and our ancestors through. Is there a song or hymn that helps you remember God’s faithfulness? How could you use it this week when you’re feeling low? [[01:09:23]]
The sermon warns against making the “wrong kind of noise”—noise that puts others down instead of lifting God up. Are there places in your life (work, home, church) where your words or attitude could be more uplifting? What’s one change you could make? [[01:19:08]]
The story of Jericho shows that sometimes breakthrough comes after praise. Is there a “wall” in your life that you need God to bring down? What would it look like to praise God in faith before you see the answer? [[01:28:50]]
The pastor said, “God created us to worship Him.” What is one way you can intentionally worship God this week outside of Sunday service? [[01:42:13]]

Sermon Clips

It is important that those of us who are true Christians not to become distracted by loud and unpleasant sounds of disturbances around us and stay focused on God. Amen. See, I've learned something. I have a pair of these AirPod Pros. You get to get these. You get you some AirPod Pros. I love these AirPod Pros. Amen. I had the other AirPods, but they don't work like these AirPod Pros. See, the one thing I like about my AirPod Pros is that they're noise canceling. See, when I put my AirPods in, it blocks out the noise around me so I can focus on what I'm listening to. See, when I want to spend some quiet time with God, I often put on my worship music, put my AirPods in my ear and block out the noise of the people and things that are around me. In this season, we'll need to put on our spiritual AirPods and block out the noise of TV and news and people and things that try and attempt to steal our focus off of God. [01:04:13] (70 seconds)

Not only do we need to block out the noise of the disturbances around us, but we need to make some noise ourselves. We who are fully in love with God need to make some noise that will not only block out the noise of stuff and people, but it will drown out the noise of our problems and trials and tribulations and, yes, even our haters. We all need to make some noise, and the noise we make needs to make a disturbance. It needs to disturb every trick that the enemy tries to come against us. It needs to disturb every track the enemy tries to catch us in. It needs to make such a disturbance that we'll be a roadmap to Jesus that people will want to know why y 'all in there making all of that noise, and we need to be able to tell them how good God has been to us. [01:05:23] (53 seconds)

Remember that God never said that we would have everything easy all the time, but he did promise that he would always be with us. Since God is always with us, we can make some noise, and we make noise in confidence that we are not by ourselves. We can make some noise, and the noise we make is not the same as the noise that the enemy makes. We make a joyful noise unto the Lord. We make a joyful noise unto the one that woke us up this morning. [01:06:52] (30 seconds)

I've learned, I've learned that when my heart is heavy and the weight of the world is on my shoulder. Yes, I pick up my Bible and I find comfort in the word of the Lord. But sometimes I got to go get my hymn book and I got to go sing my way through. See, when we were coming through conference studies, they taught us that we needed to have four books with us at all times. Four books with us at all times. You need to have your checkbook. You need to have your discipline. You needed to have your Bible. And you needed to have your hymn book. Because what our four parents were trying to say that there's sometimes you're going to have to sing your way through some stuff. [01:09:16] (49 seconds)

Some people call me noisy, but I belong to the noisy crew because I shout when I get happy because that's what Christians do. Make some noise, make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth. He's been too good to you, he's been too good to you. [01:16:19] (40 seconds)

You should never make noise just to be noisy. You can't come in here and shout and go out there and cuss. You making the wrong noise when you give our parking lot attendants a hard time, when you ugly to the ushers you making the wrong noise thank you I'm glad you do it is we've got to learn that the noise that we make uh doesn't put people down but it lifts God up. [01:18:29] (67 seconds)

Some of y 'all are going to go to places of employment tomorrow you don't want to be your supervisor get on your nerves you don't like nobody you work with and they don't like you and if that check wasn't good every other week you wouldn't be there but it's time for you to change the atmosphere that when you go in there tomorrow just start making some noise just go in there thanking god just go in there glorifying god go in there speaking to everybody good morning how you doing god bless you good morning you all right this morning you had a good weekend you need to go in there with making some noise and turning that whole situation around and they're gonna try to figure out what's wrong with you they're gonna try to figure out what's you must have lost your mind you just tell them no i just realized god has been too good to me to be ugly to you that i'm just gonna keep giving god glory i'm gonna keep giving god praise he's been way too good to me so your noise changes the atmosphere. [01:19:40] (74 seconds)

God I thank you for every day of my life, God I thank you for what I'm going to be, I thank you for the doors you're going to open, I thank you for the ways you're going to make, I thank you for the healing that's on the way, God I thank you for keeping me, I thank you for blessing me, I thank you for the food on my table, I thank you for the roof over my head, God I thank you for the car I drive. I thank you for you ordering my steps in your will and in your way. God I thank you that last night wasn't my last night. God I thank you that you keep your hand of love and protection upon me. God I thank you that you surround me with your goodness and mercy that everywhere I look God you right there with me every time I turn around you got another blessing for my life. Oh God I give you glory. God I give you praise. I gotta make some noise in this place. I need to shake the devil's kingdom. I need to get the devil off of me. So I'm gonna open my mouth. I'm gonna lift my hands. I'm gonna tell God thank you. Thank you God. You are good. You are good to me. God you been good. Down through the years the Lord has been good to me. [01:26:11] (83 seconds)

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