Praise in the midst of trouble
PRAISE GOD because He is your God!
It's that simple.
Learn to PRAISE GOD in the midst of trouble from King David himself.
King David teaches us how to praise God throughout the book of Psalms. These praises are not always after victory. Many of them are in the middle of adversity and calamity. Although David did often declare his misery to God, he managed to end his words to God in praise and thanksgiving.
God pointed out Psalm 63 to me recently as a guide for us in praise despite what trouble we see around us. He directed me to research Psalm 63 and it's history. It took me to several chapters of 2 Samuel. Chapter 15 of 2 Samuel reports of the national rebellion of King David headed by his own son. Psalm 63 states his praise to God as King David goes through true hardship and heartbreak.
We can definitely relate to David's thoughts and feelings as we face our present world. We can also gain great wisdom from King David in using praise in the midst of our trouble.
He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me. - God says in Psalm 50:23
I can definitely use help choosing words to praise and honor God. God chose Psalm 63 for us to focus on at this time.
Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Are you in a place that feels dry and perhaps a bit hopeless? I understand. Let praise bring you up above what you see in the world right now. It absolutely works!
Why? It is simple - praise to God reminds you that you are not alone.
It tells your eyes that despite what you may see - you have a Creator.
It touches your heart to remember that God has saved you in the past with his son Jesus.
It brings memories of past miracles and reminds you of the goodness from God.
It awakens your spiritual self to view a heavenly perspective.
Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Start with:
You, God, are my God
Meditate on those words.
This is how I approach it if you need some guidance to start.
You - When I consider the sentence that I am about to speak to God starting with the word "you" -
it convinces me that I am actually in a real conversation with God himself, my very Creator. Wow! This is really happening. I am talking to God, and he is listening.
God - Who is God to you at this very moment? Is he God your Father? Is he God your Protector? Is he God your Provider? Is he God your Healer?
are - This is taking place right this minute. What I say next is absolute. This is the straight out truth from me.
my - Mine. This is personal now. It relates to my feelings and truths.
God - GOD. My everything. My morning, my afternoon, my night. My plans, my purpose, my schedule. My comfort, my peace, my strength. My defender, my path, my victory.
Try meditating on each word in Psalm 63:1 slowly. Feel free to take just a sentence or small portion of the verse to focus on each day. Repeat the verse or portion of the verse often to give God your praise, honoring him.
PRAISE GOD and watch joy arrive!
Praying for you all.
Love,
Truly the messenger
God: the author
