Some thoughts of my own and some thoughts “borrowed”:
Feeling convicted that when I’m not experiencing His “joy unspeakable”, I realize it’s because I haven’t been living in a space of gratitude. I talk about “seeing the good”, I encourage others to look for the good in all circumstances, but am I “practicing what I preach”? It takes practice to make something a habit and I am asking myself today, “Am I making praise a habit?” After becoming a habit, something can evolve into a lifestyle. This is my desire: To make praise a habit which will grow into a lifestyle; that praise will be my default in all circumstances. Sounds lofty, doesn’t it?
Just like starting#restarting# an exercise routine, it’s awkward at first and requires effort and intentionality. Eventually, it becomes a habit and we automatically do it.
What good is praise? First of all, it brings our focus on God. We are more aware of His omnipresence, and our eyes are more open to what He is doing.
It also rebukes the devil. I like the words of “We Praise You”, written by Brandon Lake, Brian Johnson, Matt Redman, and Phil Wickham in 2019.
“Let praise be a weapon that silences the enemy. Let praise be a weapon that conquers all anxiety. Let it rise, let praise arise!
We sing Your name in the dark and it changes everything. We sing with all we are and we claim Your victory. Let it rise, let praise arise! …With all creation cry, ‘God we praise You!’ “
It is a testimony and encouragement to others. II Timothy 4:2 reads: “Be ready in season and out of season.” He’s talking about preaching the Word and he is saying to be ready, whether we feel like it or not. I think this applies to praise and thanksgiving, as well. If we only praise during the good times, our best moments, that’s the “in season”. There’s a greater testimony when we praise in the “out season”. This is giving thanks in “all circumstances,” and people sit up and notice because it just doesn’t make sense to praise and give thanks during difficult times.
David Crowder, another “favorite musician” of mine, states: “When good is found and we embrace it with abandon, we embrace the Giver of it…Every second is an opportunity to praise. There is a choosing to be made. A choosing at each moment. This is the Praise Habit. Finding God moment by revelatory moment, in the sacred and the mundane, in the valley and on the hill, in triumph and tragedy, and living praise erupting because of it. This is what we were made for.” Thank you, David! You say it so well!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for your conviction that I’m living a “less than abundant” life You desire for me – simply because I’ve drifted away from praising you in the “out of season” time. I want to move into that place of moment-by-moment “seeing the good”, and thanking and praising You for the good – even if the “good” is clouded from view with all the bad that surrounds. You are good – All the time. You continually change what the enemy intends for bad and destruction in my life – into good and into victory in my life. Thank You for your ever-diligent care and watchful eye. Thank You for your unending love and mercy! I’m joining all creation in saying, “God, I praise You!”
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