¹The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ²to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ³and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isaiah 61:1-3

It seems this is a “Throw Back Thursday” week for me. The old songs keep coming to mind and speak deeply to my heart.

As I think on the things in my life that hold me back – the chains, if you will – I keep hearing the lyrics from a song by the Imperials. It goes like this: “the chains that seem to bind you serve only to remind you they fall powerless behind you when you praise the Lord!”

Recently I was in a strategic planning meeting and a couple of the participants shared their stories. It was powerful to hear how the Lord brought deliverance into their lives, setting them free from the chains of addiction. Both testimonies highlighted the importance of praise to combat the pull of the enemy to unhealthy habits.

Today if your past, the lies of the enemy, doubt, discouragement, fear or hopelessness are trying to find a foothold in your life, start praising. Use the truth of scripture as a weapon against the enemy. Sing out at the top of your lungs — new songs, old songs, any songs!