The heart of God loves a persevering worshiper who, though overwhelmed by many troubles, is overwhelmed even more by the beauty of God. -Matt Redman
Praising God is something His people have done since the beginning of time. When we praise God, we are doing more than thanking Him for what He has done- we are acknowledging and reflecting on who He is. Hebrews 13:5 says to, “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess His name.”
We were created to praise our God (Isaiah 43:21) regardless of how we feel or our current circumstances. The Bible tells us of Paul and Silas, who sang praises to God while in prison (Acts 16:25) and Job praised God when all of his family and belongings were destroyed (Job 1:21). The Bible is full of examples of people who, even in the midst of extreme physical and emotional pain, chose to praise God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. -Psalm 100:1-5
Praise Helps us Focus on What is Important
When we choose to praise God in the midst of our circumstances, whether good or bad, we are putting the focus of our life where it needs to be- on God. Our life is not our own (Jeremiah 10:23) and our salvation has been bought with the precious blood of Jesus (John 3:16). Our true hope is in God alone, and He is worthy of all our praise.
As we praise God, our thoughts become clearer. We become less concerned with our earthly existence and more concerned with God’s eternal kingdom. Through praise, God’s peace calms our minds and His love comforts our hearts.
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. -Psalm 95:2-3
Practical Ways to Praise God Today
Praise can be communicated in a variety of ways. The most common way to praise Him is through song. There is something about singing praises to God that warms the hearts of many believers. One need not be a musician or even sing well to offer praises of song to God- He knows us and our hearts, and even a joyful noise is music to His ears. (Psalm 98:4)
If music isn’t your cup of tea, there are other ways to praise God. We can praise Him in prayer, in our words to others, by writing poems or prayers, in our thoughts as we go about our day or enjoy His creation, and even in the things we do for His glory.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. -Psalm 96:11-12
Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. -Psalm 29:1-11
