We are a people addicted to success.
No matter how we define or measure it, success affects every
aspect of our lives - how we view ourselves and others, how we set and tackle
life goals, and sadly, even how and when we praise God.
Think about it.
It’s been a long time and you’ve been holding on to hope
that God will answer your prayer. You can even see it in your mind’s eye. The deliverance.
The relief. The praise party that follows. Everyone will know what God has done
for you.
But it hasn’t happened yet. And your praise? Well, it’s a
bit lukewarm, to say the least.
Or maybe, it was a more urgent crisis, and God didn’t show
up the way you had hoped He would. If you’re honest, you feel a little
disappointed (or maybe a lot) and rejoicing in your trials feels like more than
you can handle.
When we pause to examine our success/praise connection, we
realize that all too often we wait for a ‘successful outcome’ to our prayers
before we burst forth in God-honouring praise. In our waiting or our disappointment,
we fail to praise God for His sustaining grace.
God’s Sustaining Grace
True, you haven’t gotten the answer you prayed for, but haven’t
you been kept? Haven’t you been strengthened and comforted as you walked
through the valley? Have you celebrated the glimmers of hope God gave you along
the way?
Sometimes, our eyes are so fixed on the expected end, that
we look right past all the blessings on the way.
Why not pause and praise God right now for the way He has held
you up and kept you going, kept you hoping, even with bruised and battered
knees.
Yes! God’s presence with us in the dark valley of unanswered
prayer is worthy of our wholehearted praise.
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” ~ Psalm 73:23
But that’s not all.
God’s Gift of Salvation
As members of God’s family, even if He never again does
anything for us, He’s done enough. Our salvation, our welcome into His
presence, our gift of life forever with Him should cause us to overflow with
praise.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” ~ Ephesians 2:4-6
Ponder that for a moment and let that refreshing truth
saturate your parched soul.
You were dead. Destined for wrath. But now you are alive, saved
from God’s wrath, and seated with Christ in the heavenly places. And what’s more
- He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)
I think that’s worthy of our unending praise, don’t you?
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. ~ Psalm 118:14
God’s sustaining grace and His gift of salvation aren’t the
only reasons we can praise Him in the valley. We can praise God because no
matter what it looks like in our limited vision, He is still on His throne.
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God’s Sovereignty
It happens to all of us. Every so often, we become
overwhelmed by the mountain of prayer needs around us. But we don’t have to
crumble in discouragement. Instead, we can choose to fix our gaze on God and
His sovereignty.
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” ~ Jeremiah 32:17
God is not delayed in answering you; He has a plan which no
one can thwart (Job 42:2) and for those that love Him, He promises to work all
things together for good (Romans 8:28). Even when we don’t understand His
timing or His answer, we can trust His heart. And we can rest in knowing that this
good God has supreme power and authority over everything.
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” ~ Romans 11:33
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My friend, I don’t know what answer you’re waiting for right
now or what disappointment you may be facing, but I do know that God is always worthy
of our praise. He walks with us even through our troubles, He died that we may
live, and with Him all things are possible. May He reign in our hearts as He
reigns over ALL and may we bless Him with our unending praise.
Grace and peace to you,
Carlie
