Transformative Power of Praise: Laus Deo

 

Summary

Laus Deo, meaning "Praise be to God," are the two words inscribed atop the Washington Monument, standing over 555 feet high. These words, though often unseen and unused, hold the power to bring about order, victory, and harmony amidst the challenges facing our nation. The significance of these words is echoed in the biblical account of 2 Chronicles chapter 20, where King Jehoshaphat faced a national crisis. Surrounded by trouble and difficulty, Jehoshaphat turned to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and supremacy. In this moment of crisis, he called upon the people to praise God, to let their praise ring out even in the midst of their national turmoil.

The people gathered together in a sacred assembly, unashamedly and victoriously praising God. As they sang and praised, God responded by sending ambushes against their enemies, leading to their defeat. This powerful narrative illustrates the transformative power of praise. Laus Deo, when genuinely expressed, invites God's intervention and can reverse dire situations, bringing harmony to chaos.

In today's world, filled with political discourse, fighting, and debate, the call to Laus Deo is more relevant than ever. Recognizing God for who He is and giving Him the praise He deserves can lead to divine intervention. If we truly become one nation under God, acknowledging His greatness, He has the power to take over, route our enemies, and bring peace to our nation. Laus Deo, though unseen by many, should be the most significant words we use today, for it is through the praise of our God that we will see victory.

Key Takeaways

- The power of praise is transformative. Just as King Jehoshaphat and his people experienced divine intervention through their praise, we too can invite God's presence into our lives by acknowledging His sovereignty and supremacy. Laus Deo is not just a phrase but a call to action, urging us to praise God amidst our challenges. [01:07]

- In times of crisis, turning to God and praising Him can lead to unexpected victories. The story of Jehoshaphat teaches us that when we focus on God's greatness rather than our problems, we open the door for His intervention. Our praise can shift the atmosphere and bring about divine solutions. [01:47]

- Laus Deo reminds us of the importance of unity in worship. When the people gathered to praise God, their collective worship led to a miraculous outcome. This unity in praise is a powerful force that can bring about change in our communities and nation. [02:31]

- Recognizing God as the ultimate authority can bring peace to chaotic situations. In a world filled with political discourse and division, Laus Deo calls us to acknowledge God's power and seek His guidance. By doing so, we invite His peace and order into our lives and society. [03:11]

- The unseen power of praise can lead to visible victories. Just as the words Laus Deo are inscribed atop the Washington Monument, our praise should be a constant reminder of God's ability to intervene and bring victory. When we prioritize praising God, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience His transformative power. [02:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - The Hidden Words: Laus Deo
[01:07] - Jehoshaphat's Crisis
[01:47] - The Power of Collective Praise
[02:31] - Divine Intervention Through Praise
[03:11] - Laus Deo: A Call for Today
[03:45] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Laus Deo - The Power of Praise

Bible Reading:
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Observation Questions:
1. What was the national crisis that King Jehoshaphat faced, and how did he respond to it? [01:07]
2. How did the people of Judah express their praise to God during their crisis? [01:47]
3. What was the outcome when the people began to sing and praise God? [02:31]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jehoshaphat chose to focus on God's sovereignty and supremacy during a time of crisis? [01:07]
2. How does the story of Jehoshaphat illustrate the concept of divine intervention through praise? [02:31]
3. In what ways does the unity of the people in worship contribute to the miraculous outcome in the story? [01:47]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal crisis you have faced. How might focusing on God's greatness rather than the problem change your perspective? [01:07]
2. In what ways can you incorporate the practice of praising God into your daily routine, especially during challenging times? [02:31]
3. How can you encourage unity in worship within your community or church, and what impact do you think this could have? [01:47]
4. Consider the political and social challenges in your community or nation. How can Laus Deo, or "Praise be to God," be a guiding principle in addressing these issues? [03:11]
5. Identify a situation in your life that feels chaotic or out of control. How can recognizing God's authority bring peace to that situation? [03:11]
6. The sermon suggests that unseen praise can lead to visible victories. Can you think of a time when this was true in your life? How did it change the outcome? [02:31]
7. What specific steps can you take this week to prioritize praising God, and how do you anticipate this will affect your circumstances? [03:11]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Praise
Praise is not just an expression; it is a transformative act that invites divine intervention. In the biblical account of King Jehoshaphat, we see how praise led to a miraculous victory over overwhelming odds. When faced with a national crisis, Jehoshaphat and his people turned to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and supremacy. Their collective praise was not just a ritual but a powerful declaration of faith that shifted the atmosphere and invited God's presence into their dire situation. This narrative reminds us that praise is a potent tool that can change the course of events in our lives. By genuinely expressing Laus Deo, we open ourselves to God's transformative power, allowing Him to bring order and victory into our chaos. [01:07]

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (ESV): "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.' And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you incorporate praise into your response to this situation today, trusting in God's transformative power?


Day 2: Victory Through Focused Praise
In times of crisis, it is easy to become consumed by our problems. However, the story of Jehoshaphat teaches us the importance of focusing on God's greatness rather than our difficulties. When Jehoshaphat faced a formidable enemy, he chose to lead his people in praise, shifting their focus from fear to faith. This act of worship opened the door for divine intervention, leading to an unexpected victory. By choosing to praise God amidst our challenges, we invite His presence and power into our lives, allowing Him to work in ways we cannot imagine. Our praise becomes a conduit for His solutions, transforming our circumstances and leading us to victory. [01:47]

Psalm 34:1-4 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel overwhelmed. How can you shift your focus from the problem to praising God for His greatness today?


Day 3: Unity in Worship Brings Change
The power of collective praise is evident in the story of Jehoshaphat, where the unity of the people in worship led to a miraculous outcome. When the people gathered to praise God, their collective worship became a powerful force that brought about divine intervention. This unity in praise is not just a historical account but a call to action for us today. By coming together in worship, we create an atmosphere where God's presence can move powerfully, bringing about change in our communities and nation. Laus Deo reminds us of the importance of unity in worship, urging us to join together in praise and witness the transformative power of God in our midst. [02:31]

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV): "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened."

Reflection: Consider how you can participate in collective worship this week. How might your involvement in a community of praise bring about change in your life and those around you?


Day 4: Recognizing God's Authority Brings Peace
In a world filled with political discourse and division, Laus Deo calls us to recognize God's ultimate authority and seek His guidance. By acknowledging His power, we invite His peace and order into our chaotic situations. The story of Jehoshaphat illustrates how recognizing God's sovereignty can lead to peace and victory, even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we submit to God's authority, we align ourselves with His purposes, allowing Him to bring harmony and resolution to our lives. Laus Deo is a reminder that true peace comes from recognizing and submitting to God's authority, trusting Him to guide us through the challenges we face. [03:11]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel unrest. How can you acknowledge God's authority in this area and invite His peace today?


Day 5: The Unseen Power of Praise
The words Laus Deo, inscribed atop the Washington Monument, serve as a constant reminder of the unseen power of praise. Just as these words are often unnoticed, the power of praise can be overlooked in our daily lives. However, when we prioritize praising God, we align ourselves with His purposes and open the door for His intervention. The story of Jehoshaphat demonstrates how praise can lead to visible victories, transforming our circumstances and bringing about God's will. By making praise a central part of our lives, we invite God's presence and power to work in and through us, leading to outcomes beyond our expectations. [02:31]

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."

Reflection: Think about a situation where you have not yet seen a breakthrough. How can you make praise a priority in this area, trusting in God's unseen power to bring about victory?

Quotes

Atop the Washington Monument are two words—two words that most people don't even know that are there. At over 555 feet high, these two words ring out to us as a nation: Laus Deo. Praise be to God. It would be these two words, placed at the top of this monument, that would call on God through praise to bring about order and victory and harmony amidst the challenges that would face this great nation. [00:00:06]

Two words unseen, and too often unused today, would be the two words that would bring victory where it looked like there would be defeat. Laus Deo. "Praise be to God" has the ability to turn things around. The scripture agrees with that, because in 2nd Chronicles chapter 20, we have a situation of a nation in trouble. [00:00:40]

We have the leader of that nation, Jehoshaphat, who is surrounded in every direction by trouble, by challenge, and by difficulty. It was in the midst of this crisis that King Jehoshaphat looked toward God. He rehearsed God's sovereignty, God's supremacy, and God's ability to meet them in the midst of their social, political, and military crisis. [00:01:07]

And it was in this context that he called on all the people to laus Deo—to praise God. He says, "Let your praise ring out to God," even in the midst of their national crisis. And it was in that midst that the people gathered together, a sacred gathering if you will, to give praise to God. They let their praise ring out unashamedly, loudly, and victoriously. [00:01:47]

In 2nd Chronicles chapter 20, we read what happened when laus Deo took root, when the people's praise of God was exalted. It says, "And when they began singing and praising the Lord, He sent ambushes against their enemies, and they were routed." Did you hear that? Laus Deo. When God heard their praise, He responded to their circumstances. [00:02:31]

I know there's political discourse, there's fighting back and forth, there's arguing, there's debating, but if we had a little bit more praising, recognizing God for who He is, recognizing that if we were one nation under God, giving Him the praise that His name deserves, He has the ability to intervene, take over, reverse the direction, route the enemies, and bring harmony to a potential chaotic situation. [00:02:47]

Laus Deo. Two unseen words by most at the top of the Washington Monument ought to be the biggest words we use today. Because, it is in the praise of our God that we'll see victory for our nation. [00:03:11]

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Transcript
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