Psalm 149: It's good to be with you today all day. Psalm 149, as I've said, I want to preach on 'The Power of Praise'. Verse 5 and verse 6 alone: "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand".
In the Old Testament, several times it was said that God's people were not to appear before Him empty. When the Christian, the New Testament teaches us, approaches God, he likewise is meant to come with an offering. The Christian - that's right, the New Covenant, New Testament believer - is not to come before the Lord empty handed. He is required to bring spiritual gifts, offerings, and sacrifices. Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 15 says as much: 'By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name'. We, as Christians, are to bring the fruit of our lips, praise and thanksgiving, to the Lord.