Bible Study & Devotional (Day 142)
🔴 Praise Him Anyhow!
Contributing Writer: Irvine Saint-Vilus
When things are going well, such as getting a new job, receiving a promotion at work, closing the deal on a house, or buying a new car, it is no trouble to shout out,
“Praise God!”
Letting go with hands raised, and throwing a little shimmy dancing in the mix.
However, when the bad news comes.. like discovering a sickness, losing a job, or experiencing the death of a loved one, it becomes very difficult. And for some, nearly impossible to praise God for those circumstances.
Yet, it is beneficial for the believer to give God praise, especially during those times of trial and testing, and Scripture tells us why.
In Psalm 118: 19-29, the psalmist teaches us several things about the importance of praise.
First of all,
during times of stress, some may stray from the church doors, and look for comfort elsewhere (e.g., drowning out one’s sorrows in a bar). However, the psalmist demonstrates that despite going through difficulty and needing the Lord to save him and to “send prosperity,” (v. 25), the best place to go is into the sanctuary of the Lord and to give Him praise (vv. 19, 20).
Secondly,
the psalmist acknowledges who God is and what God has done for him in the past. He states, “I will praise You for You have answered me, and have become my salvation” (v. 22); and though the psalmist had been rejected by man as king, God had restored him back to his place of prominence (v. 23). By staying focused on who God is rather than on his present circumstances, the psalmist encourages his faith in God and what He can do for the psalmist in the future.
David encourages believers to do this particularly in Psalm 103: 2-5, when he states, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
In Psalm 89:25, the psalmist now feels confident to make his desperate request known to God. There is a saying that “when praises go up, blessings come down.” The psalmist knows that God inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3), and like the psalmist, we can be sure that when we praise the Lord, He will respond and come to our rescue; and in our desperate circumstances, will change for the better. However, to know God and His blessings, one must begin with a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Do you know Him today?
Irvine is a published author, worship leader, instructor, and speaker. Over the past two years, she worked as an instructional assistant helping autistic students in the school system. Irvine also had the privilege of working as a chaplain in a hospital setting, which allowed her to minister to patients, staff and work in a team environment where collaboration and accountability were essential. Irvine received a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; a Master’s degree in Divinity, and a School Counseling degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
This devotional was submitted by Irvine Saint-Vilus, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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