As Christians, we all enter times of testing. Whether we like it or not the devil will come at some point in our Christian walk to try to hinder us from doing the will of God. Paul was hindered…
I Thessalonians 2:18,
"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but satan hindered us."
Paul was hindered more than once and there were others who were hindered as well because he said, "We would have come unto you."
You may be going through a trial of your faith right now where you too are being hindered. If so, hang in there. God will take you through your darkest hour. However, there is a catch, you must continue to praise Him.
Many People Lack Faith
Many More Lack Praise
Recently I was fighting a sickness that had somehow attached itself to my body. I wanted God to instantly deliver me out of the situation but that didn’t happen and when it didn’t I became frustrated. After all, I’m always preaching to my friends, and anyone else, who will listen, that God will heal you and heal you now; Yet, I was afflicted.
During this time I had not been praising the Lord, as I should. Honestly, I didn’t feel like it. If you’ve ever been sick then you know what I am talking about. I had the Word of God in my heart but I just couldn’t get up the spiritual strength to praise the Lord for my healing. God wanted to help but I was hindered. satan was trying to keep me from praising the Lord. He knows praise releases faith and he didn’t want me to get well. I wasn’t lacking in faith; I was lacking in praise.
You too may have fallen short in the area of praise. Maybe, in the hustle and bustle of every day life you just don’t feel like praising the Lord. But if you want things to be better in your life; if you want to be healed; if you want to send the devil packing, you must praise the Lord! When you praise the Lord that sends a signal that you are trusting Him to deliver.
I know many times, especially during trials or sickness, we don’t praise the Lord because we don’t feel His presence. However, the Word of God tells us that if we seek and feel after Him we will find him.
Acts 17:27,
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us:
Even though we think God is nowhere to be found, He is right there beside of us, even in our hearts, pulling and pushing us along.
Praise Brings Deliverance
Praise releases faith for deliverance.
Acts 16:25,
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: And the prisoners heard them."
Verse 26:
"And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone bands were loosed."
Paul and Silas didn’t allow their circumstances to stop them from praising God and God delivered them! But the moment many of us get into trouble the praise stops. We become fearful of what is happening or going to happen. We’re much like the Apostle Peter. We get our eyes on the storm when in fact we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Many of us would not be praising God if we were in jail I can tell you that. Instead we’d be whining. Why? Why? Why? If God loved me I wouldn’t be here. If God loved me I’d be flying like an eagle over this situation but I’m not so He must not love me. Whine. Whine. Whine. What a pitiful attitude to have. And, I can’t say I am totally innocent in this area.
Paul said in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Paul had peace about everything. He didn’t worry nor complain no matter what came his way. He remained content because he had an extraordinary godly attitude.
Your Attitude Counts
Did you know your attitude in a trial might indicate why you are there?
If you are in a trial and become restless and nervous maybe God is teaching you patience. If the trial you are in produces fear then God is teaching you about His love because perfect love casts out fear.
I John 4: 18,
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
Whatever your trial, just remember God will deliver you if you call upon Him and praise Him.
Ps 50:15,
"Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (NKJV)
To praise God is to glorify Him.
Ps 50:23,
"Whoso offereth praise glorified me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God."
Watch your conversation. Only allow praise to continually be in your mouth.
Hebrews 13:15,
"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."
Sometimes it can be a great sacrifice just to get our hands in the air to praise God. But when we do, His glory will shine through us.
If you want delivered from the snare of the devil praise will release the faith needed. It may cause an earthquake in the process but you will be delivered. (Acts 16:25&26)
Saints we must praise God in every situation. No matter how bad it looks or feels, praise is the answer. God always delivers. He always comes through. Maybe His timing isn’t ours but He always takes care of business. We need not worry!
Philippians 4:6,
"Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (NKJV)
In other words, pray then praise.
Allow me to close with this scripture. If today you are going through something hard, just remember you must endure hardness as a good soldier and keep on marching!!!
2nd Timothy 2:3,
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Copyright 2002 by Darlene Osborne
Darlene is Founding Editor and Publisher of The Christian Online Magazine. You may read her articles at http://www.ChristianMagazine.org
