...And I Will Praise Him...

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
-Exodus 15:2

And I will praise God at all times and remember Him, for through Him I have joy, I have freedom, I have hope and salvation. I have the eyes to read the scripture. Let's have a look!

"The Lord is my strength and my song..." He gives me strength to achieve what I have, He gives me the grace to succeed and to live. And all I can offer in return is to glorify Him. For I will commit my actions unto Him, hoping that His guiding light will shine through me and speak into the lives of others. That through my works, people will see the glory of God and praise Him too.

"He has become my salvation..." And what a beautiful thing that is. The Lord delivers me from sin, from death, from danger. Thankfully I have no enemies, because they would not be able to stand before the saving grace of God. I'd feel sorry for them. Hehe. But the Lord said:

"...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..."
-Matthew 5:44

Through Jesus I am saved, and for that, He is worthy of all the glory for everything that happens in my life. And may it be that His glory shines into your life too.

"This is my God, and I will praise Him..." Is pretty self explanatory. Did you need anymore reason to praise God?

In all things, praise God and commit all that you do to Him, for He will make all things good and well because He knows the best way for everything to occur. Let Him live in your life and all things will follow.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:6

In all your ways means in EVERYTHING!! Give God all of yourself, at all times, in all circumstances. For there is nothing too big for Him. In times of trouble just seek Him and watch the paths straighten for you. Talk to Him and hear His voice telling you to go right... because right sounds right. Don't you know that straight paths are easy? And though you may walk through the valley of the shadow of death along the way, remember (note: acknowledging...) that Jesus has set you free from death, if you would only believe in Him.

...Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
-Mark 5:36

And when Jairus 'just believed', his daughter was brought to life, by the power of God. Just believe.

All that God asks is that you believe in His Son and you will be set free. You will have a place to rest the burden of your yoke. A place of eternal peace, and a guide for all your ways. Simple.

And though it is difficult to think of praising God in hard times, when the circumstances overwhelm you still God says to just believe. Imagine the torment that Jairus felt as his daughter lay in bed, waiting for the healing touch of Jesus. His faith and belief in the Son of God, let the miracle happen. Just believe for the miracle. Pray and believe.

Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my saviour and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Herman - from Mount Mizar
-Psalm 42:5-6

In times of trouble I do believe this is a great great source of encouragement. Deep within the soul of the psalmist was great depression. He was downcast, he was disturbed. Yet he told his soul (o.O)... he told his soul to put its/his hope in God because he would continue to praise God. If he could do it why can't we? Are we not equal before the Lord? As you praise Him and acknowledge Him, His blessing will overflow and His grace will come. Just you wait. Pray and praise. Pra- pra-. In Malay, the pra- prefix (or prafix) is pre- or before. There are two pra-s to every miracle and one post-. The two pra-s are praise and prayer. The post is praise again. Yes... remember to praise God after the miracle comes.

But I digress. The second half of the quote is even more encouraging and, I found, very interesting. Note that the psalmist says "My soul is downcast within me;..." Ok sure we knew that already. But after that is the key. "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you..." Not "but", "therefore". Hint hint, especially when your soul is downcast, remember God and acknowledge Him. Because your soul is upset, remember Him and praise Him. Let your sadness be the catalyst for your praise. Just believe.

Believe, pray and praise God for the victory that I know is coming. Be encouraged because Jesus said:

"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Matthew 28:20

And He succeeds through all circumstances.

Lord, I praise you for your works in this world and for all those who need the touch of healing or the straightening of paths, I pray your power overflows and your name is glorified.

May you find the peace of God in your life. (Just believe for it)

Amen.