What is Judah Praise?
Judah’s meaning is “Praising the Lord”.
When we study the Bible, it is worth highlighting certain points with regards to the name Judah. Judah became the sanctuary of God while Israel is his dominion {Psalms 114: 2}, by this we can see God makes his sanctuary among those who sing his praises. All the children of Israel are his dominion but his sanctuary is set up in Judah. The name Judah was so significant God showed his approval of that name allowing his son to be born from the tribe that bore that name.
Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. Psalm 114:2 NIV
Psalm 76:1 says in Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. This verse shows us a clear difference between Israel who is a type of Church and how he is known to Judah {those who praise Him}. It is clear to see that when God is praised, he makes himself known in a way that only praise invokes, in most churches, there are those who go to listen and those who go to give praise. It is to those who seek to praise God in the way that he requires that he makes himself known.
Have you ever wondered why some folks seem to know more about God than others?
Why they seem to walk in revelation and have greater experiences with God?
When we praise God, and he comes to inhabit the praise he reveals himself in an oxymoronic way leaving you satisfied yet wanting more.
Having Judah go first, was saying “the praise must go up,” the glory must go to God, and as it was then, if we ask God what we should do, he will answer. When Jesus (the Lion of the tribe of Judah) came into this world and went to the cross, he made the way ( the only way) for you and me to access the Father. It is a privilege to pray and take our concerns to the Lord. We should always be in a state of praise, even outside of church.
When we take time to “send Judah first,” it sets our whole day in motion for success. We are uplifted as we praise the Father, which allows us to more easily see the good in others, and less of their faults. As we become victorious in daily living against the obstacles of life, it becomes an encouragement to others. We are then able to spread cheer and hope, as a witness for Jesus Christ.
Do not go into battle with complaining, being afraid and doubt, and a lack of praise, because you will never win. Take your concerns and questions directly to the Lord and he will show you what to do. In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” So, we need to ask ourselves, what are we speaking, is it praise? If not, let us learn from the Israelites and ask God what to do. He is always listening.
Gilead is mine; Manas′seh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah my scepter. Psalm 108:8 RSV
This verse explodes when we read in conjunction with the story of Esther. Esther was a beautiful woman, a queen God chose to help in saving his people. She was preparing herself to meet the King, but although beautiful and prepared she could not go into the palace to be with the King until the King held out his scepter. Esther 5:2 KJV
The holding out of the golden scepter was a sign that she was accepted into his chamber. The same is indicated in Psalm 108:8 when God sees our beauty through the praise we give, he responds by holding out his scepter inviting us into his presence.
Praise somehow makes you sensitive to the plan of God. The Bible records in 2nd Samuel 5 that David was anointed King over Israel but for seven years he reigned over Judah as they were the first tribe to embrace and recognised what God’s plan was and it took the other tribe seven years to finally catch on and to make David their King. He was already appointed King, but they were not in tune with what God was doing. So many times, we missed out on the ‘move’ of God or direction because we are not tuned in with or sensitive to God. Many Churches are moving in the wrong direction and doing things the wrong way simply because praise is not an important part of their worship and is not evident in their churches.
May God help us to always have a heart of praise.