That Annoying Cricket!
A cricket in our kitchen was making it difficult for me to concentrate on what I was reading. What a distraction! I noticed though that when I'd walk or knock on the wall, his chirping would stop. Evidently he didn't like the vibrations.
Satan responds much the same way to our praising God. His annoying whispers of "Don't trust God" or "He's failing you this time," or "You might as well quit trying," disappear when we are "overflowing with thankfulness" (Colossians 2:7). Satan flees because He cannot dwell in God's presence, and we make His presence at home within us when we praise Him.
Because praise produces the atmosphere in which the Divine Presence resides, it is the most effective shield against Satan and his attacks. In Destined for the Throne, Paul Billheimer suggests that because Satan is allergic to praise, "where there is massive triumphant praise, Satan is paralyzed, bound, and banished."
God "inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3 KJV). Often we want an awareness of His presence, but we have not provided those conditions that welcome Him. Praise prepares the way for Him to come.
Thank You, Jesus, for always noticing and responding to genuine praise.
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).
