WHY PRAISE?

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Why Praise?

“My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

This is one of the concluding lines from Psalm 28 (below). In this one line we hear how praise of God can drastically change the way we respond to our circumstances. Like the Psalmist (King David), we will face many different types of trial and setbacks in this life. That is unavoidable.

But what is not unavoidable is being overwhelmed and even crushed by your circumstances.

Choice

When we make the decision to set aside anger and bitterness in exchange for times of intentional worship and praise of the Lord for who he is, what he has done, and for what he promises to accomplish in this life and in the life to come, we are able to change the way we interact with hardships and trial.

Conversation

In the passage below we can hear a great conversation with God unfold.

King David does not hold back from the Lord but shares with God what is real in his heart. David makes his desires known to the Lord, which is good for us to see, and his perspective seems to be changed by his choice to worship in the midst of the trials.

1 To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.

5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again. 6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
(Psalms 28:1-9 NIV11)

Not Diminish

In this Psalm we hear David speaking truthfully about his perspective on his circumstances and his needs. He does not hold back from the Lord what is in his heart.

It is also good to see that choosing to give God your praise and your worship in the midst of trial and hardship does not in any way diminish the reality of your circumstances. You can praise God as you experience pain or a devolving set of circumstances.

Praise of the Lord does not hide your pain, it simply causes you to lift up your head to the horizon and see that there is victory in your future. Either the Lord will act and provide for your need in this life or you will be set free from all pain as you enter into his eternal glory.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I desire to give you praise today. Help me to worship you, acknowledge you, extol and adore you before I complain or ask for your help.

Help me to make much of you before I make much of my circumstances! Amen.

In Christ,
Ryan Laden 

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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