November 25, 2014
Choose Praise
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Our grandson Justus participated in his first 3K race last month. Justus is five years old. I am in awe of him at this point in life for many reasons, but running a 3K? Wow!
Our daughter Danna and her husband Sam were running the race for a local charity and Justus wanted to run the race with them. Danna and Sam were skeptical.
“Son, there is a special race for all of the kids. Don’t you want to do that? Hudson is going to run that race, and he will need your help,” they explained.
Yep. They played the Hudson card.
Hudson is two years old and thinks his big brother Justus is the neatest thing since sliced bread. Justus and Hudson really are best friends. And Justus is his brother’s biggest cheerleader in life. When Danna suggested that Justus might want to help his brother, she thought that would settle the issue.
It didn’t.
Justus thought for a moment. “Yes, Mommy. I want to do that race with Hudson, but I want to do the big race, too!”
Danna said he was very serious, so she tried another approach as she explained, “Buddy, it is a very, very long way to run. Your legs are going to get so tired! Mommy and Daddy really want to run the whole race, and if you get tired and want to stop, we will have to stop, too!”
A look of fierce determination came across his little face as Justus gritted his teeth, clenched his hands, and said, “Mommy, when I get tired, I am just going to tell my insides that they can do it! I am going to tell my legs to just keep going!” We need to have the same attitude about praising God.
Scripture tells us to give God praise.
Not only when we feel like it.
Not only when we don’t feel like it.
Not only when we want to give up.
Not only when we feel like we can conquer the world.
We are to praise God in all circumstances. Do you know what the word “all” literally means? It means all. Seriously. No matter what crisis we find ourselves facing, we are to choose to give God praise. No matter how dark or painful the storm may be, we are to choose to give God praise.
Praise is not an emotion. It is a choice.
Thanksgiving is not a feeling. It is a choice.
We are not necessarily praising God for the trial or the crisis or the storm. We are choosing to give God praise and thanks because of who He is … despite the painful circumstance we are facing.
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him (Psalm 68:4).
Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing.
Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives.
Praise becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence and power at work in us.
Don’t miss the life changing truth that we can enthrone God in every situation of our lives by giving Him praise. Praise converts our everyday surroundings into His dwelling place. It is from that throne of praise that God dispenses victory and peace and joy. Praise tunes us into His sovereignty and allows us to experience the reality and power of His presence.
So no matter where you are today, take charge of your heart and soul and tell them to just keep going. No matter how tired you get, remember God is with you. Choose to give Him praise.
Let’s Pray
When you can’t seem to find the right words to pray – go to the Word of God and pray Scripture. Join me in a prayer of praise found in Psalm 150.
Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Are you known as a woman who praises God?
- As you begin each day, take time to position your mind and heart for praise.
- Look for opportunities during the day to praise God – then voice that praise aloud.
- Begin keeping a praise journal in which you record your praises to God.
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