God created us to serve in praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:11-14).
Ephésians 1 : 11-14 « 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. » KJV
Very often we praise Him when we are in joy or in peace, but it also happens that trials, worries or misfortunes fall on us and take away all desire to praise God. Which of us has never gone through times of tribulation and suffering during which it seemed difficult to praise and worship God?
1 Peter 4 : 12 « 12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. » KJV
There is a power that is triggered as soon as we begin to praise God in those moments, rather than begging Him to change those circumstances that are so unfavorable to us. To praise means to accept to live situations that we do not necessarily understand, as part of God’s plan, of the perfect will of the God of love for our lives. We do not praise God FOR the trials or sickness that Satan is trying to inflict on us, but DESPITE of these trials or sickness, because we trust that God will get us out.
The book of Psalms urges us to adopt a broader conception of praise. To praise God is not simply to sing it; it is above all to do it with sincerity of heart. A joy that would cast a veil over the reasons for our sadness, thanksgiving that would pass over in silence our unanswered questions or a declaration of faith that would ignore our perplexities, cannot constitute true praise.
Our praise should never be motivated by what we hope to obtain from God. If we praise Him with sincerity, accept the circumstances as they are and thank God for allowing them, then He will intervene to transform these circumstances well beyond their logical or natural development.
When Paul and Silas began to praise God, an earthquake in the middle of the night shook the foundations of the prison in which they were locked; all the doors opened and their chains were broken (Acts 16:25-26).
Acts 16 : 25-26 « 25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And 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. » KJV
In our difficult times, we should turn our eyes away from the circumstances and focus them on God alone and, more precisely, on Jesus Christ who is the author of our faith, the One who leads it to perfection.
God is and always will be this heavenly Father who loves us, who cares for ourselves in our times of trial, He whose help never comes too late. David wrote most of his Psalms under very difficult circumstances, but he knew one thing: circumstances do not change God’s character, do not alter His qualities : love, mercy, and compassion. Even in our difficult times, God has remained the same, always worthy of receiving our praise and gratitude.
There is a very close relationship between praise and faith. Our praise, especially in times of trial, strengthens our faith and makes it grow. Faith is, in a way, the fuel of praise. The account of the capture of Jericho (Joshua 6) shows that praise of proclamation, in the face of situations that seem humanly impossible, allows the miracle to be accomplished. All the “Jerichos of our lives” can only fall if we demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ, in praise, in spirit and in truth.
It is when everything seems to rage against us that we should praise the most, with more faith. Let us praise God without seeking an explanation for what we are living, nor to imagine how the Lord will act. Let us trust Him entirely because He loves us!
Worship and submission to God, two characteristics of tbe victors over the enemy
Worship is one of the hallmarks of the victors. For God, to continue to praise and celebrate Him despite His silence, even as we might be tempted to doubt His faithfulness and as the voice of the enemy of our souls resounds to make us believe that God has abandoned us, is that which glorifies the Lord above all.
Until we doubt the love of God, Satan cannot make us fail. Our victory does not depend on our abilities or strengths, but on our love that trusts the love of God, manifested in Jesus Christ.
If we could always understand God’s ways, or praise Him only after receiving His blessings, we could never become victors.
It is our acceptance of Heavenly Father’s incomprehensible will that transforms and strengthens us. Exercising there will gradually free us from fear, oppression and despair and we will then be able to testify, before the visible and invisible world, our faith and our trust in our God. It is the Lord in Person who fights for us! He never leaves us to ourselves. So, let us rely entirely on Him and His power in our times of weakness.
James 1 : 2-4 « 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. » KJV
