A Devotional Study – August 2009

Born to Change the Atmosphere

by Caleb Brundidge

Study includes:

A. Prophetic Encouragement
B. Devotional Teaching
C. Weekly Scripture Meditation
D. Resource Corner

A. Prophetic Encouragement

The body of Christ was created to change the atmosphere through their Tehillah (praise) to God and through their Halal.

B. Devotional Teaching

In our English language we don’t really give the word “praise” justice. On the other hand, there are many words to denote “praise” in Hebrew which have more meanings than the simple word of “praise” in English.

Here are some popular uses of the word “praise:”

If your dog sits when you tell him to sit, you may praise him for his obedience.
If a salesperson goes out of his way to help you, you may want to commend him to his superior, which is a more formal, public way of praising someone, either verbally or in writing.
If you're watching a performance and want to express your approval verbally or with applause, acclaim is the verb you're looking for.

Laud and extol suggest the highest of praise, although laud may imply that the praise is excessive, e.g., the accomplishments for which she was lauded were really nothing out of the ordinary. Extol, which comes from the Latin meaning “to raise up,” suggests that you're trying to magnify whatever or whomever you are praising, e.g., to extol her virtues so that everyone would vote for her. If you want to praise someone who has died recently, you will eulogize him or her, which means to speak or write your praise for a special occasion, such as a funeral.

Praise—give praise to God, honor, thanks, glory, worship, devotion, adoration, reverence.

All of theses definitions of praise are good and accurate, but if we want to praise the God of Israel we need to find out what is His definition of praise and what exactly does that look like to Him. To do this, it is helpful to look at the Hebrew definitions and get the full meaning of the word Praise. I will concentrate on two of the seven key words that relate to praise, which are Tehillah and Halal.

First let us look at Tehillah—to sing a new song, a hymn of spontaneous praise glorifying God in song, an interweaving of belief and joy, to sing in the spirit (this is the only Hebrew word used when the Word of God speaks of the Lord “inhabiting our praise”). This definition really spoke to me. This one is the best definitions of Tehillah. It is the combination of singing, shouting, dancing, clapping, and rejoicing before the Lord. If you express great and extravagant admiration to the point of foolishness in the eyes of the non-praiser or non-Christian, you are giving Tehillah to the Father. This is the kind of praise that God inhabits, dwells, or lives in (Psalm 22:3).

Second, let us look at Halal
Halal a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; to act madly, to act like a madman.

RAVE; "to talk wildly, as in delirium.” Someone who is delirious is in "a state of violent excitement or emotion. Frenzy. A more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in intoxication, characterized by excitement..."

Paul, when he said to "be being filled with the Spirit," compared it to being intoxicated Eph. 5:18. Again, when the people saw the disciples after they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, thought that they were intoxicated Acts 2:13-15.

RAVE: to express great [in an extreme degree] or extravagant [spending much more than is necessary; excessive; exceeding the bounds of reason; going beyond what is justifiable; unrestrained] admiration [to regard with wonder, pleasure, approval].

Halal is to be CLAMOROUS.  
CLAMOROUS: "A loud and continuous sound." Focused towards the Lord in raving, this would describe Halal.

Halal is to be clamorously FOOLISH  Halal is to be CLAMOROUS.

David Halal God to the point that his bride was offended of his praise to God. David also writes about the Tehillah that this is the praise that God inhabits. Tehillah is about the manifested presence of God through His Spirit in you and me. You were made to change the atmosphere through your Tehillah and your Halal.

C. Weekly Scripture Meditation

Week ONE - Psalm 44:8-7
But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast (Halal) all day long, and praise Your name forever. Selah

Week TWO – Psalm 113
Praise (halal) the LORD!
Praise (Halal), O servants of the LORD,
Praise (Halal) the name of the LORD!
Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The LORD’s name is to be praised (Halal).

The LORD is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.
He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise (halal) the LORD!

Week THREE - Psalm 22:3 and Psalm 40
But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises (Tehillah) of Israel.

I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise (Tehillah) to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

Week FOUR - Jeremiah 31:7
For thus says the LORD: “ Sing with gladness for Jacob,And shout among the chief of the nations;
Proclaim, give praise,(Halal) and say, ‘ O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’

Habakkuk 3
God came from Teman,
The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His glory covered the heavens,
And the earth was full of His praise (tehillah).
His brightness was like the light;
He had rays flashing from His hand,
And there His power was hidden.

D. Resource Corner

Music CD – Love Warrior – by DJ Caleb

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And remember, God loves you with an everlasting love!

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