At All Times...

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34

Reading through this Psalm of David, it would be easy to claim that this is the state of my heart- at all times. It is easy to claim this truth when life is roses and rainbows. But how about when the rug is pulled out from under you? Are you still going to praise his name? How about when your world comes crashing down? How about when you are praying for a rainbow and only receive rain? What then? The inner state of a person’s heart is revealed in the off seasons. Is your heart barren or bursting with life?

Seasons of testing are discouraging and disheartening. But even in these seasons, those who look upon the face of the Lord will never be downcast. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never coved with shame (Psalm 34). In the passion translation, it says, “Join me everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears! Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame face again.”

Living in isolation while in the pit of despair is incredibly lonely. When we are stubborn and hide from God- we lose out. We lose out on building a stronger relationship with him. When we are in a dark place- praising the Lord at all times extinguishes the enemy’s arrows and builds and strengthens our faith. I have done it both ways- the first way leads depression and bondage, the second leads to freedom.

Even though it may be so difficult to praise God amidst our storm- mustering up the courage to sing praises even when we are not feeling it- is our greatest battle tactic against the enemy. The enemy would like nothing more than for us to curse God and die.

But offering praise and thanksgiving to God shows the enemy that the battle has already been won. And he has no chance!

One point that is extremely apparent in Psalm 34 is the power of a believer’s testimony.

Revelation 12 says, “They overcome him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” Their testimony was a weapon against the enemy.

But what happens if we keep our testimony to ourselves? It loses power. What if we stew in our sorrow- isolated- hard hearted? We don’t let God in- we don’t let God move. We give the devil a foothold!

By refusing to let God in- we are putting something else on the throne.

In this way, our depression can become an idol.

An idol is anything we allow to be before God in our lives. Emotions included!

This is harrowing because I am guilty of this. I allow my “down days” to take precedence over God’s presence. And I am convicted.

I suffer from painful chronic headaches. There are days when my headaches become an idol because they take the place of God as first in my life.

I am to praise God at all times. I don’t know what he is up to- but I know he is working everything for my good. I must cling to him.

James 4:7-8 in the Passion Translation, “So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come ever closer to you.”

Habakkuk 2:1, “Look at the nations and watch- For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Therefore, I will carry his praise on my lips at all times.

Nothing else breeds freedom.