Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises – Psalm 98:4
Praising God is something that should be as natural as breathing. It’s hard to do so, however, when facing trials, problems or challenges, but that is the time when we really need to do it. I have had an experience when I was feeling down about something and it came to me, no doubt it was the Holy Spirit’s prompting, that instead of focusing on what I was going through, to focus on God instead. So, I began to praise Him. I began to sing songs of praise to Him and after a while, I felt so light and upbeat. The problem which had seemed like a mountain became minuscule until with God’s help, I was able to resolve it.
The apostle Paul is a good example of someone who praised God regardless of what the circumstances were. Who could forget when Silas and he were in jail and instead of suffering in silence, they began to sing? Acts 16:25 says But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. God used that moment as an opportunity to reveal Himself.
Suddenly, there was an earthquake, shaking the foundations of the prison and the doors to the jail cells were opened and the chains broken, the prisoners could have escaped but no one moved. The jailer thought that they had broken out and was about to take his life out of fear of reprisal but Paul assured him that all of the prisoners were there. And that led the jailer to ask the question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Verse 30). God used Paul’s and Silas’ attitude toward their circumstances to bring about the salvation of the jailer and his family. And who knows if any of the other prisoners didn’t change too as a result of what they heard and witnessed.
How we deal with adversity will not only affect us but those around us. Instead of looking down or around, we look up and whatever song the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, puts in our hearts, we lift our voices and sing to our God, Who “is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). It will lift our burdens up to Him and bring His comfort down to us.
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Yesterday, while my husband and I were singing hymns before the close of our weekly Sabbath worship, it hit me that when you are dead you can’t praise God anymore. And I was so thankful that I’m still alive to be able to sing of His love and His goodness.