Scripture For Today
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” - Psalm 113:3 NIV
Today’s scripture encourages us to praise the Lord continuously. Through the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, praising the name of the Lord can make a massive difference. When things get tough and it feels like the issues of life are pressing in on every side, that is the moment when our praise becomes a weapon in our faith.
Greater than the circumstances and greater than the noise of this world, praise anchors our hearts in gratitude, humility, and reverence for the Lord. This is why it can feel so hard to praise Him in difficult situations. Scripture tells us to “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”:
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. - Isaiah 61:3 KJV
The moment we commit our hearts to praise, we consciously commit to shifting the atmosphere, laying our burdens before the Lord, and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty God. (Psalm 91:1)
Why The Enemy Fights Your Praise
There is a reason it can feel tough to praise the Lord when life is getting heavy. When we base praise on our emotions vs. rooting that praise in the goodness of the Lord, we give the enemy room to undermine our faith by keeping the heaviness in place.
It is the decision to praise that can overcome the weapons of the enemy. In 2 Chronicles 20:22-25, we see that the praises of the inhabitants of Judah turned the tides of a battle before the battle ever started:
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. - 2 Chronicles 20:22 KJV
That is why praise is more than just singing. It is submission and trust to the Lord who can turn the tables, remove the heavy burden, and break the chains.
Stepping into praise can immediately shift your heart from the troubles around you to what is true about the Holy Spirit within you:
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4 NIV
When fear, pain, and heartache attempt to become louder than His voice, praise reconnects you to His Spirit and reminds you that He is more than able.
Three Practical Ways To Walk Out This Word
1: Begin With Praise
Before checking messages, news, or responsibilities, thank God for three specific gifts: breath, strength for the day, someone you love, a place to rest, a provision, or His forgiveness and presence. Let praise shape the first direction of your mind.
2: Use A Midday Reset
Set a brief reminder during the day. When it appears, pause for one minute and say, “Lord, You are worthy of praise here too.” Bring Him the pressure, decision, or concern you are carrying, then thank Him for being with you in it.
3: End With Gratitude
Before sleeping, review the day with God. Thank Him for one moment of help, protection, provision, growth, beauty, or kindness. If the day was painful, honestly tell Him so, and still acknowledge the blessing in the small things that we tend to overlook from day to day.
Closing Encouragement
The name of the Lord is worthy of praise from the moment we rise until the moment we close our eyes at night. Let’s praise Him through the storms of life and give Him the heaviness, the doubt, and the fears. He is more than able to bring in peace that surpasses understanding and grace that paves the way forward.