Devotionals for the Heart: Praise

The Power of Praise
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” 

–Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)

I was in desperate need of help. As a new teacher on a three year probationary contract, I needed to pass the math and reading sections of the teacher exam. I had already taken the math test five times, each time getting a score one point away from passing. One. Stinking. Point. I needed two more points to pass the reading, which I had only attempted once.

This would be the last time I had to take both tests in time for my license review, which meant keeping or losing my job. I knew I had studied and done all I could do to pass the tests, but math was not my strong suit. We’d always had a love-hate relationship. Now it was threatening my future.

Then, just before I was able to register for the tests again, the state suddenly decided to take composite scores, which meant that If I could pass the reading test three points above my last attempt, it would offset the math loss and I would be set.

I was excited but also apprehensive because if this didn’t work, I wouldn’t get another try.

The night before the reading test, I got on my hands and knees and cried out to the Lord. Then I felt the need to give everything over to the Lord and just praise Him, no matter what. So I turned on some praise music and praise aloud for several hours. I got a good night’s rest and had no anxiety about the test the next day.

A few months later, the day arrived to call in and check my results. During my lunch break I took a deep breath and dialed the number. A few of my colleagues waited nearby to support me. When my score resounded in my ear I began to laugh uncontrollably with joy and elation. I had passed.

But I didn’t just pass with the three extra points I needed, God also gave me seven points above that. Seven. My favorite number. A number of perfection. God’s number. I felt the full impact of His God-wink.

The Lord had heard my cry and he answered me. Like the the psalmist says in Psalm 40:1-3, God secured my steps, put a song of praise in my mouth, and taught me what it means to let go and fully trust Him.

Now, whenever I get anxious about an outcome, I take pause and remember what the power of praise can do. It once took down the walls of Jericho in Joshua Chapter 6. Through our praise God can do great and mighty things because He is worthy of all praise.

Have you ever felt desperate? Are you in a current situation that seems hopeless? Do you need encouragement through your situation?

Stop. Take pause. Put your trust in Jesus. Pray over the situation, then lift up your voice or play a worship song, and sing for as long as your heart desires. Let your praise rise to the heavens. God hears your cries but He revels in your praise. It brings all glory and honor to Him. He will bring you through to the other side.

I can’t promise you’ll get my same result but I can promise He won’t disappoint you with His results.

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Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan