Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.
Job 13:15 KJV
One woman asked an honest question: “How can I praise God when everything in my life is falling apart?” Who hasn’t pondered that question in moments of defeat, despair, or grief?
In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas, under Roman law, were publicly stripped and severely beaten for their faith. Afterward, they were jailed. Yet with bloody backs and shackled feet, they sat in a dirty cell undefeated. Rather than question God’s intentions or apparent lack of protection, the scriptures state that around midnight, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25 NIV).
The power of prayer and praise resulted in complete deliverance. The prison doors flew open, and their chains fell off. What’s more, the jailer and his family accepted Christ, and these ardent believers were able to witness to other inmates.
It’s difficult to praise God when problems press in harder than a crowd exiting a burning building. But that’s the time to praise Him the most. We wait for our circumstances to change, while God desires to change us despite them. Praise coupled with prayer in our darkest moments is what moves the mighty hand of God to work in our hearts and lives.
How can we pray and praise God when everything goes wrong? The bigger question might be: How can we not?
Jesus, help me to pray and praise You despite my circumstances. Amen.
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2014 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Tina Krause.