Devotionals for the Heart: On Praise

Praise: An Untapped Power
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” 

~Psalm 34:1 (KJV) 

I wish we understood more about the power of praise. Do you know someone in the Bible who praised their way out of a bad situation? I’m reminded of Paul and Silas locked and shackled in a dark, dank prison cell for the crime of preaching, Jesus. Paul didn’t complain about his situation or the tribulations he’d endured preaching the gospel. No, he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice" (Phil. 4:4). He and Silas began to praise and worship God. They knew how to release the untapped power of praise, and the prison doors opened!

One of the quickest ways to release God’s blessings in our lives is to give Him praise. He inhabits the praises of His people. You ask, how can I praise Him when all of these horrible things are happening? Anyone can praise God when everything is going well, but it takes faith to praise God in the hard places. It takes faith to praise him when you’re surrounded by impossibilities. We need to thank Him for the victory. Thank Him for who He is. Praise encourages faith. Hope rises and you focus on His ability to succeed in your life, not on yours to fail. God is for you.

There was a season in my life when I felt all was lost. My daughter at nine months of age was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. The doctors told us she would probably never live to age two. Hearing those words produced a malignant fear that gripped me by my throat and chocked out my hope. After hearing that diagnosis and prognosis, I roamed the hospital campus moving like a sleepwalker, numbed and afraid.

I wish I could confess to you that I stood in faith for her healing. I didn’t at least not right away. I allowed fear to control my life for an entire year marking off the days until she turned two. Thinking that on her second birthday, she would be ‘taken’ from me. I believed the lies from the enemy. Yes, when you’re down he’ll kick you a little more. I began to speak God’s truth over my situation and finally, the enemy’s efforts no longer had a negative effect. As I praised God, I learned I could draw a line in the sand. You can too.

Her second birthday came and went. My prayer life began to change. I started thanking God continually for her. I took my eyes off our circumstances. Praise became a powerful tool that dispelled the fear I’d lived with for too long. My child’s courage and strength kept me moving forward. I praised God for the privilege of being her mom. We didn’t allow her sickness to kill our joy. Praise extended her life. She passed away a few months shy of her sixth birthday. She'd lived beyond anyone’s expectations.

Victory is always assured when you stand in faith on God’s Word. And when you praise Him before you actually see your victory, it’s then that you’re giving him a sacrifice of praise. He’ll be faithful to intervene in your affairs and to give you the desires of your heart. Praise Him and see your mountains move out of the way!

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci writes Amish Love Inspired and lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two fur kids, Romeo and Juliet, rescue cats. She is working on her debut novel, Plain Justice.

She’s a retired nurse who does volunteer work two days a week and is active in an intercessory prayer ministry at her church.

Currently, she's enrolled in Rhema Bible College’s correspondence Bible studies. She belongs to ACFW and RWA. 

When she’s not working, reading or writing she’s spending time with family. Follow her on Facebook.