When Paul and Silas were beaten within an inch of their lives and thrown into prison, what did they do? They lifted their voices up and began singing to God. Suddenly an earthquake shook the prison doors open and the two of them led the Philippian jailer to Christ. (Luke 16:16-40)
When the Moabites and Ammonites arrived at the gates of Jerusalem to make war against Judah, what did Jehoshaphat do? He appointed worshipers who went out ahead of the army, singing and glorifying the Lord and immediately the sons of Moab and Ammon turned and destroyed each other. The spoil was so great it took the Israelites three days to collect it all. (2nd Chronicles 20)
When, for years, Saul chased David in the wilderness of Judah, seeking to kill him because he knew David would be the next king, what did David do? He worshiped God, singing and praising the Lord in the toughest of circumstances. “I will bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Ps 34:1) “O God, You are my God, I shall seek You earnestly. My soul thirsts for You, My flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Ps 63:1) And David would be refreshed and the burden of his troubles would be lifted.
On New Year’s Day night, I drove to the church for a worship night, struggling with some of the most conflicting emotions of my life, battling discouragement. So what did I do? As Chris, Kirsten, Nikki and the team began to play, I stood and lifted my hands to God and sang with all my heart for the next 90 minutes. Moment by moment, minute by minute joy flooded by soul and I encountered God in a stunning way.
What should you do when difficulties grip your life? When the storms of troubles sweep over you? When you’re losing heart and feeling despair? Get up! Turn your gaze upon God! Lift your voice and begin to sing! Extol the Lord! Give praise to Him! Magnify and exalt your God! And watch what takes place. You will be wonderfully restored and renewed.
Worship overcomes warfare. Singing drives the enemy away. Praise creates an atmosphere of encouragement. Peace floods the soul. So remember, you don’t have to languish in discouragement and fear, in stress and fretting. The victory is near, the battle is won, as you worship and magnify the Lord.
Prayer Needs This Week – just one overriding prayer this week, that you would lift up our nation to God, during a polarizing time, when the county is more divided than ever, when anger and arrogance and accusation and defensiveness reign, when politicians on both sides of the aisle seem more interested in their own platforms than what is best for the country. Trust in either party has eroded. The American people are exhausted and we are fracturing. Apart from God intervening it’s only going to get worse.
Finally: The greatest Super Bowl ad ever; no other ad is even close in my book.
Go Rams!
Jay