The Power of Praise

There have been times when praying, praising, and even reading my Bible have felt hard. Perhaps you've felt that way, too.

It's hard to look at the world and see so much pain, anger, and division and not wonder, “God, where are You in all this?"

In the opening of this Psalm, we notice that both David and Jesus cry out with the same question in times of distress, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Theologians state that we can note two things from this cry of distress:

• They had a personal relationship with God.
• There was a level of surprise concerning what they had to endure.

It is said that Jesus was meditating on David's words amid His suffering. If we continue to meditate on what David was speaking, we stumble upon these words:

“God is enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you/ they trusted, and you rescued them."

I wonder if David discovered this truth as he shifted from distress to praise, since his emotions seem to fluctuate between comfort and despair in this Psalm, much like ours when seeking God.

The truth is that praise in the middle of pain doesn't have to look like perfection or unwavering faith. It can be honest praise, mixed with fear and genuine pain. God can connect with who we are in that place and our humanity through it all.

Your Heart Note 💜

God can handle where you are. Praise Him with a sincere heart.