Praising God in the Desert

When’s the last time you praised God in the storm? Seriously think about it. I have noticed in my life that being in the storm or in the pit reminds me of my need for God and I cry out to Him. But how hard is it to remember to praise God when that’s where we are? It’s easy to glorify and thank God when things are going well because obviously we must be on good terms with God if He is blessing us. It’s a lot harder to worship when there doesn’t really seem to be a lot of things for us to be thankful for.

I think Paul is making his opinion very clear about how our worship should look:

“Rejoice always!

Pray constantly.

Give thanks in everything,

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Don’t stifle the Spirit.

Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things.

Hold on to what is good.”

-          1 Thessalonians 5:16-21

But our culture likes to change it:

“Rejoice only when things are going your way.

Only pray when it’s convenient.

Give thanks when you get what you want.

 Does God really have a plan for you?

Don’t listen to that voice telling what is right and wrong. You know what is best for you.

Other people have no right telling you how to live your life either.

Protect what is yours. After all you worked hard to get it.”

I mean that sounds pretty messed up. But it’s so easy for that to become our mindset without us even realizing what is going on! It’s as if when things are going great, it’s all us. Like we made our lives awesome. But God gets the credit when things get difficult. I believe God is in all of that! When things are great, He’s looking down on us with this huge smile because He loves seeing you so happy. When things are hard, He’s looking down on us with love and compassion. He’s there for all of it.

Over and over again in the Old Testament, the Israelites are told to remember all that God had done for them. Psalms talks about God bringing them out of captivity and all of the miraculous way He provided for them in the desert. The writer of the Psalms didn’t see any of that for himself, but he knew all about it because there were festivals and traditions so that the people would never forget all of the wonderful things God had done for them. Maybe that’s something you need to do. Make a list of all the times God has provided for you in the “desert” and thank Him for it.

For me personally, this is something I am working on right now. I have recently had some unexpected medical things come up and it’s scary. And I have spent a lot of time crying out to God. But I was reminded by a friend that I had a giant pole fall on my head and God took care of me then! Why wouldn’t He take of me now? My pole encounter was only a few months ago and of course when it had just happened, I thanked God for His healing all the time. But as life goes on and you feel like you have reached this mountain you can’t overcome, maybe it’s time to turn around and look at all of the ones God has already brought you over and thank Him for those. Maybe you need to bake a cake and have a party of your own to thank God for His blessings even if it doesn’t seem like this is the time to be celebrating anything. Besides, a little cake never hurt anything!