Croatia is battling not only covid-19, but the chaos left from the largest earthquake in the last 140 years, rising abuse and mental health rates are a real issue, in countries across the globe, health care workers are having to “play God” by choosing who to save in moment by moment decisions. It all just seems so unfathomable. Amidst the depravity I feel like God is calling us to praise Him. Which seems equally unfathomable right now. How can I, can we, praise God when we look at situations like those above and many, many more? Is it even possible? I remember something I said in my testimony that I gave last June was that I came to realize that praise is the antidote to despair. I believe that praise not only counteracts despair, fear and anxiety, but it ushers in the presence of God. I could really use a lot more of God’s presence in my life right now! I think we all could. When we worship God because of who He is, He draws near to us (James 4:8).
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off”! (Acts 16:25-26) Just prior to these verses Paul and Silas were mobbed, stripped, severely beaten and thrown in the inner dungeon with their feet in stocks. I can tell you that praise would be the last thing on my mind. I would be thinking of the chill of the inner dungeon or the cold stocks, cry boatload of tears, be projecting fear for the future, or perhaps be grumbling more akin to the Isrealites in the wilderness. Paul and Silas were praying and praising though in spite of all this, and not only that — other prisoners were listening to them. God was listening too. He loosed their chains and the chains of every prisoner. Praise and prayer can loose our chains. On the inside, as well as on the outside. No, praise isn’t going to put money back in our pockets, stop the virus in it’s tracks, or turn back time. But praise can shift our thoughts away from what is going on directly in front of us and put it towards the Source of all thought. Am I doing enough of this? Nope. Not lately. But I could learn something from Paul and Silas perhaps. Maybe if I can bring myself to a place of praise even when I don’t feel like it, maybe, just maybe I can turn my own world around, with the ripple effect hitting my family, and those I interact with by phone, media and in grocery stores right now. I know that I could do with a lot more of God and much less news right now in my life. How about you?
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Psalm 34:1-3 AMP)
Growing Into Up 