Praise in a Time of Trouble

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Scripture
2 Chr. 20:21 When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendor, as they went before the army, saying,
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Observation

King Jehosephat called out to God and wanted the people to know who it was that he worshipped. Far too many of the kings had worshipped idols but now, this was to be a declaration that the Israelites worshiped the Lord. 

The people of God were going into battle and instead of beginning the day with fear and trembling, the King led his people to worship God. They were to sing as they made their way into battle. The song that they sang is one we often sing these days — a Psalm of praise. 

Instead of focusing on their troubles they were to focus on God, giving praise in the time of trouble. 

Application

Great confidence in God is revealed by Jehosephat’s commitment to praise. He could have responded in any number of ways but instead chose to praise and worship the Lord. 

Finding ourselves in a time of trouble, we may also want to find the place of praise. That seems to sound rather counter-intuitive, and yet something seems to happen when we begin to praise the Lord. God ministers to our pain and suffering when we are obedient to praise. It doesn’t mean that all the trouble in our lives will be removed, but it does mean that our focus is shifted from ourselves to God. We begin to view our circumstances from an eternal perspective. 

Let’s begin this day and every day by giving thanks to the Lord — for God’s steadfast love does endure forever! We are God’s children, transformed and encouraged in light of worship and praise of our eternal God. Try praising when the troubles come. 

Prayer

Lord, I don’t pray for trouble, but I do pray an attitude of heart and mind in which I may praise and worship you in all circumstances of life. Amen.


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