Electing to Praise God
by Lydia E. Harris
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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV).
When my son was in high school, I campaigned hard for a godly school-board candidate. This man’s values reflected mine, including abstinence-based sex education.
For weeks, I stumped from door to door and from neighborhood to neighborhood to promote my candidate. Campaigning became a priority, and sometimes I barely had time to cook dinner for my family. I wondered if investing so much time in this election was worth it.
My son cheered me on with, “Keep it up, Mom.” My family agreed to simpler meals and a less-than-tidy home so I could continue campaigning.
Finally, the election was over, and the votes were counted. My candidate had lost! I had worked hard, sacrificed, and prayed. For what?
Crushed in spirit, I asked God, “What shall I do now?”
His answer surprised me: “Praise Me.”
Praise Him? For this outcome? Yes, I sensed that’s what God asked of me.
I pulled out a chair and knelt on my not-so-clean kitchen floor. With tears running down my cheeks, I prayed in surrender.
“Lord, I’m disappointed. I worked hard, yet my candidate lost. But I choose to praise You because You are sovereign. Oh, God, I look to You, and I praise You as my great God. You are worthy of praise even when things don’t turn out as I hoped. I surrender my desires and trust You with these election results.”
I got up from my knees, still disappointed, but at peace with God. I sensed He was pleased with my prayer and my campaign efforts. He would oversee the situation, even with another school-board member elected.
In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah wrote about disappointments that were far greater than mine. Enemies had burned down the entire city of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Yet in the midst of this devastation, Jeremiah praised God (Lamentations 3:22-26).
No matter what disappointments and setbacks we face, God always deserves our praise for who He is. And when we praise Him, it brings Him joy and changes our focus.
~Lord, help me to always praise You. Like Jeremiah, change my song of lament into a song of joyous praise. Amen.
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Questions: What are you facing today? It’s easy to praise God on the mountaintops of joy and even on the plateaus of daily life. But what about in the dark craters of despair? Will you praise Him there?
About the Author: Lydia E. Harris
6 Responses to “Electing to Praise God”
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Lydia, thank you. to comment on your devotional, for myself, the last 47 yrs. of my life, I have faced, but faced alone. at age 48 the dark moments through out my life were lifted as I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. when I say alone, i mean that there was no faith in my life. oh, i was successful at careers i tried, successful at marriage, then failed. as my life continued alone, I was blessed 20 years ago with meeting and marrying my husband. i was blessed again with 2 wonderful healthy children.
I believe that I had to experience the pain, the heartache, the disappointment as I watched my whole world fall apart. these trials and tribulations molded me to who God wants me to be today. what am I facing today? pure and simple love. my thoughts and prayers go to Suvitha, Diane, NSG, Doe, and any other sisters
who look to this site for the comfort so badly needed.
as far as the dark craters of despair, until I experience them again(as they will come because the Lord’s plan for me is not finished), it is my belief that the Lord God will prepare me for future service by continuing to reveal my weaknesses and strengthen my faith. will I praise Him when I find myself in despair? I pray that I will and pray and pray and pray.
Thank you very much for this! God will bless you!
I will start praying for your ministry which uplifts souls and other online ministries. For those who are reading this please strat to pray for these ministries if you arent keeping this in your prayers.
I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Thank you.
I was upset and depressed but now I shoose to Praise God and thank Him for His blessing in my life. I choose not to be disappointed but insteat thank Him for His promises, believing. Amen
My family and I experienced a house fire this month and we lost all but about 20% of what we own. However even through the fire I am praising and thanking God!!We have our lives, no one was hurt in any way.. God can bless far beyond what we have lost…..I am trusting and waiting on HIM!!
I had a miscarriage almost a week ago; not only am I grieving immensely but knowing that I somehow caused it(long story). I’m married for 10 years; have two beautiful girls; ages 10 & 8; been a christian almost 5 years. Don’t understand fully why I did it. Oh, how I regret it; wish I could turn back time. Not only am I grieving, but I”m so ashamed of the sin I’ve commited towards God. It’s so hard to move on. I have repented, but I need to move on; this article helped in the sense that my focus should change. God is sovereign. I’m sorry so long.
yes , am also i a bad situaton for the past week. am about to lose my job. i did work hard n true to myself. things r getting bad
yes , am also i a bad situaton for the past week. am about to lose my job. i did work hard n true to myself. things r getting bad now. so with a heavy heart i come to see my mail n found this devotion. PRAISE GOD. so
i better do it now.
thanks for the encouragement , GOD BLESS