RHAPSODY OF REALITIES 4 MARCH 2026 DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAHKILOME
Rhapsody of Realities Devotional 4 March 2026, Wednesday Daily Message
TOPIC: We Don’t Clap To Praise God
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).
It’s important to understand the spirituality of ministry and the place of music and expressions of worship in the house of God. Clapping, for instance, which many are very used to in church, is neither praise nor worship. While clapping is not wrong, it must be put in its proper place.
Clapping is applause; it’s a sign of approval or excitement. Spiritually, however, it doesn’t equate to praising or worshipping God. You’ve probably heard people say, “Let’s clap for Jesus.” But clapping is not how the Bible teaches us to worship or praise the Lord.
True worship is expressed with words, songs of the Spirit, and the lifting of our hands in reverence to God. For example, we saw from our opening scripture that the lifting of hands is an act of worship recognized in heaven. The New Testament praise and worship is in spirit and truth, as Jesus said the Father desires (John 4:23-24).
When a miracle happens and people clap, they’re not praising God; they’re expressing approval or excitement. The danger is that in doing so, they sometimes neglect to give God the actual worship He deserves as a result of such a miracle. This is why we must be instructed by the Word. Worship must always be rooted in knowledge, not habit.
So, while clapping has its place as a human response to events, true praise and worship must come from your spirit, expressed through your words, songs, the lifting of your hands, and other expressions in worship that the Bible talks about. This is what glorifies the Lord. We may clap in celebration of victories, but that’s not praise: “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psalm 47:1).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the understanding of true worship and the revelation that we are the true circumcision that worship you in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Even now, I worship you from the bottom of my heart, for you’re the only true God, righteous, holy, just, gracious, pure and kind. Thank you for your glory in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
John 4:23-24; Psalm 63:3-5 NIV; Psalm 9:1-2
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Mark 10:32-52; Numbers 14-15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 24:1-9; Psalm 56
Rhapsody of Realities Devotional 4 March 2026 Message written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, remains a life-guide with rich and impactful teachings from God’s Word. Millions of copies of Rhapsody of Realities, the best-selling daily devotional and Bible study guide have been distributed in 242 countries in 2010 languages of the world… and we’re still counting.
