HE WILL TURN IT AROUND

12/21/2022

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).

God's Word is for doing. James put it this way: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). So, don't occupy yourself with debating the Word; instead, do what the Word says. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." In other words, the way you can prove that you love God is by doing what He says. And what is one thing that the Word has instructed us to do? It is to praise God, our Heavenly Father.

Ephesians 1:11-12 says, "In Him we were also chosen as God's own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory." In other words, we were born to praise God. In Psalm 34:1, David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." David did not say, "I will only bless God when He does something for me." No! David's praise was not tied to anything material. He said I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES. Hallelujah!

Scriptures are filled with stories that tell of the unstoppable power of praise, times when praise activated the shekinah glory of God and brought nations to their knees. I'll say it this way; if a fiery furnace of fire could not bring the three Hebrews boys to their knees, I am telling you right now that no situation or condition can change what Jesus has already done for you. No cancer, sickness, lack, or hell can reverse the divine order over your life. You will live and not die until you fulfill God's will for your life.

Today, take stock of what God has done in your life and in the lives of those around you. Meditate on His goodness until praise erupts in your soul. Focus only on the greatness of the name of Jesus Christ and recall the mercies of God over your life. Only then can you experience the true meaning of praise. And with such praise, anything is possible! Even death sentences can be reversed.

Hezekiah did just that. By making a pledge of praise to God, he was able to reverse a death sentence that God Himself issued. In Isaiah 38, God sent word through His prophet, Isaiah, to tell Hezekiah that he would die. Rather than accept that death sentence, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and petitioned God. The Bible says, "Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the Word of the Lord came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now, you will go up to the temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David."

Saints, there is no condition that cannot be turned around by true praise to God. You may have received a terrible report, but if you would learn to look away from that report and focus your attention on the power of God and praise Him, there will be a change. Now, I see why there were so many miracles in David's life. He said, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1). And the more he praised God, the more miracles he experienced. And I believe the same will be your portion. Be filled with praise, no matter what happens. There is power in praising God.

God bless you.

Faith Filled Confession:

God—You’re my God! I can’t get enough of You! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in Your strength and glory. In your generous love, I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless You every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to You (Psalm 63:1-4 MSG).

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Jonah; Revelation 9