For this week’s Worship Wednesday, Kayla encourages us to praise God all the time. It isn’t easy, but she shares some great examples of people who have kept the faith despite difficult circumstances.
Praise God All The time
“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
(Psalm 34:1 ESV)
You know, that is a pretty loaded verse. All times? Continually? Wait, what about when I’m having a really bad day? Don’t I get to complain just a little bit? What if my kids are just really awful? Don’t I get a free pass to yell at least a couple of times and “take it out on them?”
I know, we have all been there.
It’s so easy to fall into those excuses. But if we are taking the Word of God seriously….then we might want to go back and rethink that verse?!
These are very minor events in life. But what if we take it to another level? One that is hard to think about or swallow.
Praise God Despite Our Pain
I got a phone call no one wants to hear this past summer. One of my very closest friends, who the military brought into our lives, lost her oldest daughter in an accident. To say it was earth-shattering news is an understatement. Her walk through this journey has been anything but easy. In fact, it has been downright unbearable most days. They are strong believers in the Lord, but this has rocked their world. Yet their faith has remained. She knows all the pat answers to give when asked, but it is a daily choice (and struggle) to keep the praises of God on her lips.
More recently a fairly well-known worship leader’s daughter passed away unexpectedly from unknown causes. She was only two years old and she just stopped breathing. It doesn’t make sense at all. Many have shed tears and lifted prayers and songs of praise and thanksgiving on behalf of this little girl and her family. It was heart-wrenching to see and hear about.
She co-wrote a song that has become pretty popular over the past several years, Ever Be. The chorus says, “Your praise will ever be on my lips.” From what I gather, they are still praising, despite the tragedy they walked through.
As believers, we must hold on to the truth that no matter what happens in life or what comes our way, the praises of God will always be what comes out of our mouths. With the saints and angels, our praises rise alongside theirs.
Why do we and how could we praise in the midst of the most tragic of circumstances?
We do this because the Bible commands us to. It really is the only way to walk through a situation we cannot understand or wrap our brains around because we do NOT have all the answers.
“Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonian 5:18 Berean Study Bible)
Notice it doesn’t say FOR every circumstance, but IN every circumstance.
We saw how another beloved musician’s son passed suddenly as well, and he wrote a tribute song for him out of his pain. However, it was his sacrifice of praise to God in the midst of his pain as well.
“I’m hurt and in pain;
Give me space for healing, and mountain air.Let me shout God’s name with a praising song,
Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks.For God, this is better than oxen on the altar,
Far better than blue-ribbon bulls.The poor in spirit see and are glad—
Oh, you God-seekers, take heart!For God listens to the poor,
He doesn’t walk out on the wretched.”(Psalm 69:29-33 Message)
We will never know all the reasons why or the eternal impact of all that happens in our lives here on this earth while we are going through the “tough stuff.” But, as we continue to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we come into agreement with whatever our Heavenly Father has decided is perfect in heaven is also being done in perfection on this earth as well.
God’s plans are perfect even when they involve our pain.
God’s plan for Jesus on the cross was misunderstood as the time, but it was perfect. His ways are not like ours – pretty much EVER! So, as we learn to walk with the Lord with thankfulness and praise during the amazing and the tragic moments of our lives, even though we may not understand, he is still worthy. He still holds us in His hands. His plans and ways are still perfect. His heartbeat for us, his children, is always for our best – and only he alone knows what that is at ALL times.
So, let his praise ever be on your lips! Listen to Ever Be by Bethel Music.
And praise God all the time.
If you are walking through a hard circumstance, our Prayer Team would consider it an honor to intercede for you. You can submit your request on our Prayer Request Page.
