17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Habakuk 3:17-19
“It makes no sense at all to praise and thank God for the mess I’m in. I don’t know anyone else doing it. I just don’t feel like doing it right now. I think it’s a waste of time. Besides, I’m kind of mad at God right now.”
Sound familiar? It does to me.
Back in the 80s, in our new Oregon home, Ann lay on the couch with our oldest daughter, Faith, in her arms. Ann was crying out to God. She really thought we’d end up divorced or that I was going to kill myself leaving her one choice – to move back to Southern California and in with her mother and dad. We had a good marriage and really loved each other, but I felt like such a burden to Ann that I thought I needed to leave her so she could marry someone who could give her the kind of life I didn’t seem to be able to provide her. I felt so cursed and beyond help with no constructive way out of where my life was heading.
Then, Ann began doing something she’d heard on the Merlin Carothers audio cassette tape she’d played until it had worn out. She began to praise and thank God for exactly how things were at that moment. Literally, within days, God began to give us some answers to our dire situation.
It took me way too many years to figure out that praising and thanking God in all things was such a huge weapon and blessing – Anger, stubbornness and pride probably kept me from doing it – great ingredients for developing a hard heart. That’s why I tell others not to wait to use praising and thanking God at all times. There is no reason to be a miserable, defeated Christian when our obedience to praise and thank God in all things (even when we do it in our minds and not out loud) can deliver us in ways we can enjoy all throughout our lives.
Don’t wait to praise and thank Him in all things. There is supernatural strength when we say, “I will praise you, Lord.”
for the joy of the Lord IS your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10d
When we praise and thank God, Heaven immediately realizes that we’re exercising our faith in God and His faithfulness to us. Praising and thanking Him in all things is like we’re putting in an urgent phone call to the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” office and our call immediately goes through to the Lord’s attention. It’s up to God how He chooses to inhabit our praise and faith call. He does what is needed to rescue us asap. I can tell you from personal experience that it’s like He immediately dispatches ministering angels to my location to fortify my faith and to encourage me to stand – even when I’m tired, in bed, or weary from any battle I’m in. The Lord gives me the words and thoughts I need to keep believing Him, to keep believing that He loves me, to keep believing that He’s working in the situation, that He’ll never leave me and that it’s His plan to give me a victory in the situation.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
God knows we’re in a faith fight here on earth and He’ll do everything to help those who will call on Him when battles come their way.
Praise and thank Him in all things. It’s His commandment and for good reason. He – all that He is – inhabits the praises of His children. When God shows up, the enemies (lies, fear, doubt, and unbelief) flee in all directions.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
Psalm 145:1-6
Thanking and praising God in all things,
Mark