"When To Praise God"

"...Is any merry? let him sing psalms." James 5:13b 

When you have a merry heart and things are going well, you should sing and offer up praises to God. But what about when things aren't going well, when you are facing trials and difficulties, what should you do? The same thing- sing and offer up praises to God. 

 

The fact that you are going through a problem doesn't change the fact that He is worthy of praise. He deserves our praise regardless of the circumstances or situations that we find ourselves in. Why should we praise Him in the storms of life? For three reasons in particular.

 

1) Praise is a garment. "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." (Isaiah 61:3) A garment keeps us warm, covered and feeling unexposed, therefore, less vulnerable. When we don't feel vulnerable, we feel strong and able to either tackle or withstand the problem that we are facing. The word "heaviness" paints a picture of a candle whose flame is about to go out. Praise reignites the flame that is within us so that we can begin to shine brightly again. 

 

2) Praise is a powerful weapon. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25,26) Things cannot get any worse than sitting in prison at midnight with your feet in stocks after having been beaten. But instead of complaining, crying, whining and getting mad at God, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God. When they did, an earthquake came and the prison doors flew open and the stocks fell from their feet.

 

3) The Lord Himself inhabits praise. "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3) The One who strengthens, who reignites, who sends the earthquake, who opens prison doors, who turns night into day, who calms the raging sea, who quenches the fire, who works all things together for your good, comes and dwells within praise. Praise is the open door that ushers His presence into your situation.

 

So, are you merry today? Then praise God. Are you doing well? Then praise God. Are you suffering? Then praise God. Are you going through trials and testing? Then Praise God. Praise Him for His strength to make it through it. Praise Him for His power to turn the situation around. Praise Him for being with you.

 

Have a great day. Praise the Lord at all times--- good times and bad times.

For further reading:

Psalm 34:1