Never stop praising the Lord!
When we praise God, we exalt His Holy Name above all fears and worries, honoring and glorifying Him for who He is. When we praise God, we acknowledge His wisdom and sovereignty, and embrace His glory and love for us through Christ.
Praising the Lord is a powerful act that completely transforms us even though it isn’t about us. It shifts our focus from what we see as problems to His glory and power. When King David faced trials, he consistently lifted up praises to God. In Psalm 34:1, David declares, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." This wasn't just a random statement; it was his lifestyle. Praising God was how David constantly reminded himself of God’s glory, wisdom, and power.
Everything changes when we start worshiping and praising God even when we are going through tough times. Praising God is like opening a window in a dark room and allowing the light to flood in and illuminate everything. In Acts 16, we are told about Paul and Silas being imprisoned, beaten, and shackled. Yet, they kept praying and praising, singing hymns to God.
We are told that, suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening their chains. Their praise brought their deliverance, which led to an act of love that brought salvation to the jailer and his family. This story reminds us of the power of our praise.
In Revelation 5:5, the Apostle John tells us that, “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’” Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. You know what Judah means? Praise! We are of the tribe of His praise and God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). We were created for His praise. We have been purchased for His praise.
It's easy to praise God when things are going well, but what about during tough times? Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise." This means praising Him even when we are going through tough times. When we do this, we declare our trust in His plan and His goodness, for He works all things together for our good.
Friend, never stop praising the Lord. Make it a daily habit, whether you’re in the car, at work, or at home. Let His praises be on your lips continually. Praise Him in the good times, praise Him in the tough times. This is the will of God for us.