Violent Praise?

One of my spiritual mentors loaned me a book by Mark Pierce called God's Unfolding Battle Plan (hopefully I got that correct). I did not read long before I realized the author was not a smoke-blower, but rather a spiritually seasoned individual. I'd like to share one of the little places in the book that set me back a few steps.

I'll paraphrase and add commentary in order to relay the story to you.

The author never had regular sleep patterns due to some traumatic experiences early in age. As a result, it has had some negative effects on his health, but it has provided some opportunity to stay up late, watch, and pray. One particular night was different. As his wife had gone to bed around 11, he was still awake reading and praying. Suddenly, he felt the tangible presence of God in the room. He then heard a voice say, "Send the arrows of the enemy back at him and he will burn with his own fire." This, of course, took him by surprise and the meaning of God's words to him were puzzling. He continued to pray up until about 2am at which time he went up to bed.

About an hour later, he and his wife were awakened by their little dog who hopped into bed, yapping as if there were a burglar in the house. It became apparent what the source of distress was. There was 'a presence' standing next to the bed. He viewed it as a female form having a man's voice, while his wife viewed it as a slimy green figure with fiery eyes. It was the same presence. The author said, "Who are you and who gave you the right to be here?"

The presence said, "I am Ashteroth, and I have come to take your children." The choice to make was obvious: to be totally overcome with fear or to embrace the Truth of God. They chose the Truth. The author then said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave." At that point, the author and his wife began to clap and rejoice and praise the Lord - violently - for up until that point, the wife had been 'barren'. They'd tried and tried to have children, to no avail. But at the point when the enemy showed his hand, they realized that they would indeed have children, simply because the enemy had failed to 'take them'.

The presence departed, and the author records 'the light of God filled the room as if it were day'."

Where does praise fit in for us? Is it something we do because it's time to do it? Is it something we are looking for an opportunity to do? I recognize such a high level of spiritual maturity in that story. I hope to achieve that, although I do NOT envy the test.