Part 3
We all have problems, difficulties, and challenges but I want you to know that when life gives you lemons, you can overcome them every single time.
(James 1:2-4 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (AMP: fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.)
When things do not seem to be going our way or even when we are totally surrounded by problems, God has given us a tool or weapon that we can use that will bring Him on the scene and begin to get us out.
The best thing you can do when life gives you lemons is to praise the Lord.
What is Praise?
Dictionary: Praise – to express grateful approval, admiration or commendation.
Who Should Praise the Lord?
(Psalms 150:6 NKJV) Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
When Should We Praise the Lord?
(Psalms 34:1 NLT) I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.
Praise is to be a part of your everyday life. No matter what may be happening – whether you are having low moments or high moments – your focus is to stay on God.
- In the best of times.
David wanted to build God a house.
(1 Chronicles 17:1-2 NLT) (1) When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant is out there under a tent!” (2) Nathan replied to David, “Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.”
But God said instead He wanted to build David a house. God was giving David a house instead of David giving God a house.
David praised the Lord when Nathan gave him this news. (1 Chronicles 17:20-24)
(1 Chronicles 17:20 NLT) “O LORD, there is no One like You. We have never even heard of another God like You!
(1 Chronicles 17:23-24 NLT) (23) “And now, O LORD, I am Your servant; do as You have promised concerning me and my family. May it be a promise that will last forever. (24) And may Your name be established and honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And may the house of Your servant David continue before You forever.
Later the people responded by giving generously to the building of the Temple. David praised the Lord again. (1 Chronicles 29:20-22)
These were some great times for David.
- In the worst of times.
Paul and Silas were cast into prison.
(Acts 16:22-26 NLT) A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. (23) They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. (24) So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. (25) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. (26) Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Although they had been wrongly accused, beaten, naked, were in stocks in prison, they chose to praise the Lord. They did the one thing that would get God’s presence into that urine-soaked cell with them. They had a prayer and praise session.
(Psalms 22:3 AMPC) But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].
If you want God to come into your prison cell of bad circumstances, then you must resist the temptation to grumble, murmur, and complain. You must make the decision to praise Him instead.
Praise Him for whatever goodness you have enjoyed from His hand, however small or insignificant it may seem to be. Instead of recalling everything that is wrong in your life, remember everything that is right.
- In the mundane, in-between times.
Often times the normal days of our lives can be the hardest to praise the Lord in because there is nothing in particular to draw our attention to Him.
David talked to himself about God all the time. (Psalm 103)
(Psalms 103:1-5 NKJV) A Psalm Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (2) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: (3) Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, (4) Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, (5) Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Your soul is your mind, your will, and your intellect. You are telling your soul what to do and then your body will follow the instructions.
- In public and in private.
We should have an attitude of praise before we ever get to the Church for the worship service.
When you prepare in private for a public praise, you don’t need a worship leader to make you feel like praising God. There is a place for worship leaders in our corporate worship, but it is not their job to make you feel good enough to tell your Daddy how great He is.
Something that would cause something great in your public praise and worship is if you have had an individual meeting with God first. Praise in your private life is what brings power and authority to your public experience.
- Sing to Him a new song.
Our new song is to be a song of all God has done for us. It is new (fresh) because it is based on our fresh experience with Him.
(Psalms 98:1 NLT) Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown His saving power!
(Psalms 40:1-3 NLT) I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. (2) He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (3) He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Your most effective praise is about the things that God has done for you this week, yesterday or this morning.