Short and Powerful

 

The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117; with just two verses this short and powerful psalm is easy to commit to memory. The New International Version reads,

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord.

These two verses reveal the heart of God toward all people.

God’s universal call to worship encourages us not just to praise Him but to praise Him enthusiastically. God knows the power of praise and wants His praise to be always on our lips (ref. Psalm 34:1).

God’s invitation is not limited to any one nation or set of people it is a call to all; creed, nationality and race do not matter, it is universal.

God’s plan was always a global one, extended to all mankind. After all, God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34 AMPC) and neither should we. We should see every person as someone God invites to worship Him and never discriminate.

Most people do not realize just how powerful praising God is; like effective fervent prayer, praising God avails much.

David, a man after God’s own heart, in Psalm 22 verse 3, lets us know that God inhabits our praises. Do you truly understand what that means? When you praise God, He occupies your praises, praise manifests His presence.

Paul, Silas and their fellow inmates found out that praising God is an earth shattering chain breaker (ref. Acts 16:25-26).

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6 HCSB).

Beloved, you are breathing so praise the Lord. Praise Him with your whole self.

In this short and powerful two-verse psalm, David assures us of God’s unfailing love for us, and it is because of His great love toward us that He has provided us with a weapon to attack our problems. We should be so grateful.

Once upon a time, while working at a bank, I was transferred from a branch I loved to a particular branch to do a job that the manager there had earmarked for one of her favourites – a young lady who was a member of a clique or more appropriately, a coven led by this manager. Needless to say, I was unwelcomed and they purposely set out to make my work life very difficult.

I engaged in fervent prayer, pouring my soul out to God night after night then one night, as I lay on my bed exhausted from praying, Spirit spoke.

From tomorrow, the moment you enter the branch start praising God, and every time any one of them walks past your desk say “Praise God”; it doesn’t have to be loud, but it must leave your lips. Don’t say it in your mind, let it leave your lips.

Because of where my desk was positioned, every single employee had no choice but to walk in front of me to get to their stations, every cashier, every supervisor, every counter clerk, the messenger, the tea lady, the cleaner, the guard and the manager were all required to walk past me every single morning. I was always at work before them and as each member of the coven slithered past, I whispered, “Praise God”.

After 9 months of God’s praise being continually in my mouth, I was called into the manager’s office and handed a letter, it was sent via fax from the HR Department at Head Office. I read it, not only was I transferred to the Payroll Department at Head Office, but it was “with a view to promotion”. Silently I praised God for His love and faithfulness toward me.

The news travelled through the branch like dry leaves on fire. From the manager to the guard, all hissed their displeasure. One of the coven members was nominated to approach me to ask if I requested a transfer, my response was a resounding “yes!” then softly but loud enough for her to hear I said, “but not from whom you think” and smiled. A look of confusion straddled her face, then she walked away towards the supervisor’s desk where others were gathered, I was certain it was to relay my answer.

we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV)

Beloved, the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever…Praise the Lord! In the midst of conflict don’t fight, praise God instead and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf (v 17).

Etch the words of Psalm 117 into your soul and enthusiastically praise God for He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things (Psalm 107:9 ESV).

Praise God!

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Short and Powerful” ©2026 January 30, 2026