Praise Instructions

1 Chronicles 16: ⁷ That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

⁸ Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.

⁹ Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.

¹⁰ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

¹¹ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

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“What am I going to do now?” was my question as I looked at my totaled vehicle. A guy driving a jeep turned left in front of me and my old jalopy needed more distance to stop, probably because I was exceeding the speed limit. “I don’t have a car! How am I going to get to work?” were the first thoughts.

Looking back on this incident, I do not remember “caring” that one of the passengers flew out of the jeep and had a bloody head.

• When tough situations happen I want to hold a pity party for myself.
• When life is difficult I want to tell everyone about how difficult life is.
• When rough things happen I want instant relief before I can be “happy.”

It is difficult to “praise GOD” in the middle of the storm.  I mean, isn’t HE supposed to be the one who grants my wishes and makes me happy? Not at all!

• GOD wasn’t created for me, I was created for GOD and by GOD.
• GOD is supreme and is extremely worth of all praise.
• GOD appreciates when I look past the difficulty and see HIM with joyous eyes.

Giving GOD praise takes practice. I actually had to start small, as small as praising HIM for life’s mundane parts. I then began to notice larger and more times where I could see GOD at work in my life. The more I praised, the more I noticed GOD working in my life.

• Are you going through difficult times?
• Do you feel you have to wait until the difficulty is complete in order to praise GOD?
• Does everything have to be worked out “your way” in order for GOD to receive your praise?
• Can you stop holding back your praise and sing, proclaim or look to the LORD and HIS strength?