Choir Day: Pastor Emmanuel Israel Urges Christians to “Raise the Praise” With Exceeding Joy

Pastor Emmanuel Israel has charged Christians to make thanksgiving and praise a continuous lifestyle, describing praise as a powerful expression of joy, salvation and confidence in God’s faithfulness regardless of life’s circumstances.

Delivering the message during the Annual Choir Day celebration, of the United Evangelical Church,National Worship Centre, themed “Raising the Praise With Exceeding Joy,” Pastor Israel drew his sermon from Psalms 47 and 98, emphasizing that God’s goodness demands a response of praise from all His creatures.

According to him, every manifestation of God’s mercy, grace, favour, healing, elevation and excellence should naturally provoke thanksgiving and praise from believers.

“Praise is more powerful than singing because it is an expression of the joy and salvation that are guaranteed in Christ,” he said.

He noted that the theme of the celebration was timely because the gift of salvation and God’s daily faithfulness have given humanity reasons to rejoice with exceeding joy. He stressed that believers remain alive not because of their intelligence, knowledge or personal ability, but because of God’s mercy that continually sustains His children.

“The challenges and difficulties we face do not diminish God’s faithfulness in our lives. That is why we must keep raising the praise,” he added.

Pastor Israel further explained that praise is a response to the victories God grants His people. Quoting the biblical declaration that “many are the afflictions of the righteous,” he maintained that victory is certain because God is involved in the affairs of His children.

“When we remember where we are coming from and where we are today, we can only attribute it to God’s divine victory,” he said.

He also stated that raising praise magnifies God before the world and should never be conditioned by circumstances. According to him, believers must continue praising God even in the face of mockery, humiliation, intimidation and opposition because God remains “the hope of tomorrow” and the source of every triumph.

Pastor Israel warned against hypocritical worship, insisting that true praise must come from a sincere, humble and pure heart. He added that praise should be expressed boldly and joyfully, declaring that God’s blessings are not meant to be hidden.

“Only those who have experienced God’s benevolence can fully understand the depth of praise. To others it may sound like noise, but whenever praise goes up, God’s glory comes down,” he said.

The cleric emphasized that God delights in sincere thanksgiving and that no one can hinder the blessings that come from Him. He therefore encouraged believers to offer continual praise in every season of life.

Describing praise with exceeding joy as a sacrificial act, Pastor Israel said no one gives sacrificially to God without receiving a corresponding reward. He urged Christians to cultivate a lifestyle of pure, sincere and sacrificial praise at all times.

“Whether in good times or difficult times, let us continually offer God praise that is acceptable to Him,” he concluded.

The Annual Choir Day celebration featured moments of vibrant worship, thanksgiving and reflection, as worshippers gathered to honour God for His faithfulness and celebrate the transforming power of praise.