What does Praise mean to you?
Is it an expression of a good mood? Is it the result of a happy circumstance or the byproduct of a great day? Yes, I believe it is, in part... After all, when things are going our way, it is in our Christian nature to credit God as the source of all our blessings, glorifying Him in praise! This comes easy to us, because we know the truth is that all good things come from Him (James 1:17).
But is Praise more than this? Friends, let me tell you, it is. Think about this for a moment...
The Word tells us to continually praise Him... in fact, it says to "let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)." Now this phrase (roughly translated), let us continually is derived from the Greek root words dia and pas. Together, they mean through all things...always. Through happy and unhappy circumstances. During great and horrible days. In good and bad moods. When praise doesn't come easy to us is when it is, in fact, more. When you can't see past the pressures attempting to crush you or the worry, fear and pain of the battle you are fighting - THAT is when Praise is more. When it truly feels more like a sacrifice... it is more. It's during the times you feel like praising Him the least, is when you need to praise Him the most.
Friends, Praise is a fierce weapon in the face of any enemy. It's a light that shines in the darkness! Praise is what lifts our eyes from the battle you are in to the victory that has already been won for you! It's what raises our perspective of how we see the world around us. When we stop looking at our circumstance and focus on God's character, is when our faith is multiplied... when our focus is fortified and our strength is replenished. Through Him, our praise supernaturally changes the facts of our circumstances to the TRUTH of God's purpose.
THAT is when Praise is so much MORE.
I challenge you to try this. In the midst of your battles and when you need a little faith (or more), go to the Word and then praise the living God... Praise Him for Who He is and His love for you. Praise Him for the purpose you can't see just yet, and the victory that you know is a sure thing! See what happens.
Go to the Word!
2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Acts 16:25-26
The Last Word:
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!
(Palms 42:11 NLT)
