Trash Talk – Raise a Hallelujah Let’s see what God can do The trash talking we're going to learn to do today is called praise. In the middle of our worst day, at the time of the worst defeat, at a time when we least feel like it, we are going to praise God. We are going to sing. We are going to defy our feelings. I raise a Hallelujah. I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar Up from the ashes, hope will arise Death is defeated, the King is alive! Daniel 3:17 “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Your hands will raise to whatever you praise you're on your feet for what makes your heart beat you will lift your voice for what makes you rejoice so stop being so poised and make some noise! Take a chance and learn how to dance! Psalm 57 let’s learn how David lifted a Hallelujah. Psalm 57 Be to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 4 My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Even though David acknowledges the enemy's presence, he is not going to exalt the enemy through complaining or grumbling or worry or magnifying his problems while minimizing and blaming God – instead he trash talks in verse 2 Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! In VS. 2 mark the 4 ways David expects God to move. 7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! 8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! We trash talk hell because our God is above the heavens. Praise is lifting our eyes from ourselves to God. Praise is me exalting him which humbles me underneath him. Praise is declaring his worth, not mine. Praise is getting lost in his glory, not thinking about my glory. Praise is declaring that he is in control, and then being able to let go of my control. Praise is affirming him, not affirming me. Praise is boasting about God's greatness, not thinking about mine. Praise is declaring the above and beyond, not just thinking about The here and now. Praise is putting God on display, not my problems. Praise is our declaration that we trust God. Praise is declaring the undeniable, unbendable, unchangeable, unyielding, unwavering truth about who God is. Who's in charge of your praise this morning?