The cool fall air bristled against my skin as I stepped outdoors. Baby in hands, I felt myself inwardly retract as the wind swept over both of us. Now fully aware of the cold leaf-covered grass, I found myself moving a bit more briskly through the dampness now covering my feet. Regretful regarding my choice of footwear, knowing I still had several more trips to make, I inwardly sighed, conceding to the change upon us.
It always feels that way. Harsh at first. The day that comes each year when you know you won’t see a warm one again for quite some time.
Maybe it’s the result of a week poured with rain. Maybe it’s the weariness of the mundane in caring for little ones who always take what feels to be more than I have to give.
Or perhaps it’s the news from my doctor this week of cells with “high grade changes” and words like “needing to exclude cancer by performing x procedure” (cue hard swallow) that have left me coming up empty and dry.
I don’t always know what my soul needs. Though I tend to think I do. And if I’m being honest, it’s often tied up in my feelings, which are fickle and wavering at best.
I know this to be true, and still, I teeter.
Psalm 103:1 says, "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost
being, praise his holy name."
Praise.
Such a churchy word. One I’ve heard what feels like more times than I can count (Heaven help me). One that seems to often associate with the superfluous. Picture guitars, possible flag waving and dancing across sanctuaries. One that has clubs: “kids praise choir”, “praise team” ect. But what does the Bible have to say about praise?
Such a churchy word. One I’ve heard what feels like more times than I can count (Heaven help me). One that seems to often associate with the superfluous. Picture guitars, possible flag waving and dancing across sanctuaries. One that has clubs: “kids praise choir”, “praise team” ect. But what does the Bible have to say about praise?
Over and over throughout the Old Testament, praise
comes before a victory.
That’s how important it is to God.
So, I began to ask God, how could praise help me get through
this really hard thing when it feels like yet another thing to add to my ‘to do’
list that is already over-to-done? Was this yet another emotion I was
going to need to muster because I’ve been doing that all morning with two near
two-year-olds that awoke before the sun.
The crying. The whining. The colds equating to far more
mucous than any two little persons should be allowed to produce. The fighting.
The hitting. The biting. And just all of the things you swore your precious
children would never do. All of the things that make you question your
mothering in a thousand different ways. And really, all of the things that just
wear a soul down.
Grabbing my other baby in my arms I moved my cool stiff body
toward the car. Wanting nothing more than to crimp and crumple under the warmth
of a soft blanket indoors, I was reminded of Psalm 22:3 which says, “God
inhabits the praises of his people.”
He comes close when we praise him.
How amazing is that?
The God of the universe comes close to me. Almost
unreal.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord will be your
strength.”
A few months ago, God gave me a picture of joy being like
that of an arrow. Rather than being swayed by emotion, joy was actually a powerful
force used by God to target and destroy things like the hopelessness in our
lives. Joy was used as a heavenly weapon to shoot holes through the depression
in our lives. Joy was a fiery missile used by God to annihilate the lie that we
“are all alone”.Prayer has always been hard for me.
Praise has been harder.
I feel it requiring me to essentially get over myself and
praise Him not because of what is going on in my present situation, but because
He is worthy. 
I believe God has been showing me there is inherent value
and even power in praise more than simply recalibrating my own heart. As I considered
the strength found in the joy of the Lord, I began to wonder. What if praise
is how we tap into that power?
What if in praise we can draw on the King of Heaven and walk into our days not with timidity, fear or dread but instead with grace and strength and even joy?
What if in praise we can move forward with greater reverence for this King Jesus? What if we could stand with greater fortitude to bear up under the struggles designed to entrap us? What if praise lights up the darkness all around us?
What if praise was really a war cry, rallying those whose hearts remain fixed on Him? What if it is a holy mobilization of God’s people to action? Can you hear it? Can you hear Him stirring the waters, saying “Rise up sons and daughters.”?
God caused an entire city wall to decimate as his people praised. He set two armies against one another, leaving his people victorious without lifting a finger. All they needed to do was stand and praise. All throughout the Old Testament we see God fighting FOR his people. He simply (or not so simply!) asks them to stand firm. And praise.
Stand firm. And praise.
Praise Him in uncertainty.
Praise Him in the messy.
Praise Him in dusky muddled waters where we presently find ourselves. Perhaps you are there too, wading through murky waters of struggle. Will you join me in praise? Will you join me, believing He will meet you?
We know that “In His presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)
Meet you there, sweet warrior friend.
Meet you there.
