Raise the Praise
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Our Father requires us to rejoice all the times. I don’t know about you, but I can’t do that! I have moments of despair, frustration, anger and all kinds of emotions. I am not 100% joyful all the time. But that is not how these verses encourage us.
Most of us probably don’t realize there is a difference between rejoicing and being joyful, but there is a variance.
Rejoice: verb; show profound joy, delight, or gladness, rooted in one’s relationship with God rather than temporary circumstances.
Joyful: noun; a person, action, or event that is full of, showing, or causing great happiness and delight.
Do you see the difference? Rejoice is God-driven, regardless of circumstances and being joyful happens as a result of some action or event.
I will rejoice in the Lord, my God, even though things are not perfect. I can feel great joy because I know He loves me!
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance (Romans 5:3, ESV).
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11, ESV).
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13, ESV).
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (Romans 1:2, ESV).
If we were capable of raising the praise at all times, we might find ourselves addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19 (ESV). Instead, we pick and choose when, where, and if we are going to get involved in worshiping His Holy Name.
If we let His Word guide our lives, then most of us will find that we fall short in the area of raising the praise. Every day there is plenty of time to offer Him the praises He deserves. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just a moment of adoration and ‘thank You’ is sufficient. Try it!
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching, leading and guiding us as we walk this path to Your Presence. Help us to be more mindful of Your Presence and to offer our praises to You. AMEN.