Praise God….Now? Are You Serious?!!
…….when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed;…… Joshua 6:20
When do you feel is the best time to praise the Lord? Well, believe it or not….your response to that question will reveal the level of your spiritual maturity! Far too often our focus in difficult situations is geared towards the incorrect focal point. In the times of adversity, we permit that dynamic trio; fear, doubt and unbelief, to make their grand appearance….Even returning for a curtain call!
We must always and alway (no “s”); remember that God has already – prior to the onset of our uncanny situations; made available to us the most powerful weapon that has ever existed. Every living creature is equipped with this weapon. Although, because many people use this weapon incorrectly its effectiveness is greatly diminished. The weapon in question is our mouth. With one mouth and its ability of articulation; we can observe the victory or defeat of an entire nation. The Bible verifies such in Proverbs 18:21, by stating that death and life are in the power of the tongue.
So back to the original question…. What’s the best time to praise God? Well…When we obtain the ability to grasp the totality of God’s love for us – then we will be able to do a Psalm 34:1….and bless the Lord at all times. We will understand that regardless to our current circumstances; He is only perfecting and grooming us into who He created us to be.
So in the midst of every adverse occurrence; at the onset of every contrary wind; in the heat of every battle; and when you feel as though conditions couldn’t possibly get any worst…… those are the ideal times to open up your mouth and to give God some praise. We must never forget that the enemy’s game plan is to cause us to focus more on what we can see with our physical eye….. (which is temporal and subject to change);…than on the promises of God (which are eternal & immutable).
However, there is a method by which we will be able to maintain our focus in the midst of the chaos. We must daily fortify, strengthen, and toughen our spirit man. We must reprogram our actions. We must in the times which are less stressful, reinforce our minds with positive confessions and prepare for the next attack…. Because it will come! We all have heard someone blurt out a few “profane” words when they’ve become stressed or overwhelmed. That same mouth can be trained and that mind disciplined to understand that God is yet working out EVERYTHING for their good. Therefore instead of cursing – they would be praising!
Lastly, remember that we are to praise God “IN” all things… not necessarily “FOR” all things. Praise is the weapon that is readily accessible to us and can travel with us everywhere. Praise is that weapon that totally confuses the enemy…. And above all praise is that weapon that acknowledges that God is still in control and that He is never going to leave me nor forsake me.
In my former church, used to sing a song entitled “Hallelujah Anyhow”. The song tells us to hold our heads up high when life’s troubles come our way …. and say “Hallelujah Anyhow. Another song was “Give Him The Praise”. The refrain (or the vamp) said, “In the good times, praise His name, in the bad times do the same; in EVERYTHING, He’s the King of Kings; so give Him the praise. Although they might not have realized it, but as the older saints sang those songs – they were instilling in their minds; and aligning their spirits, with the foundational principles which are required to successfully defeat every adverse situation. They knew that the time to shout the greatest was in the midst of the battle – and not just at the end.
So… when you think… “Oh I just can’t praise God now”. Yes…. I’m serious….. that is the very time when you MUST open your mouth and acknowledge Him of Lords. At the very time when it would seemed the most inopportune – GIVE GOD THE PRAISE…. And watch your walls begin to collapse!!!
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