Get Your Praise on: Day 4

PRAISE
Praise doesn't start when an answer comes.   No, it starts when God first gives the promise and continues through the answer.  I love the story of David where He encouraged himself in the Lord. Take a look at 1 Samuel chapter 30  especially verse 6.  David's men were heartbroken over the capture of their wives and kids by the enemy and they were ready to stone David for it.  The Bible says,  "David encouraged in the Lord."  Wow, that takes fortitude.

Mindset
As the men marched each day around Jericho they each had their own thoughts.  Their wives who were going about their daily chores back at the camp had their own thoughts as well and this was a time to bring them in line with God. I'm sure as we think about this week of Getting Your Praise On you have your own thoughts and concerns as well.  Isreal had gone through a lot of hard times, their parents had made some mistakes and now they were facing a powerful enemy. They had just crossed the Jordon with a miracle and recommitted themselves to be a nation that loved and served the Lord and were promised that the reproach of Egypt was gone.  Each person marched around the city quietly with only their own thoughts to press them forward.

Stir-up
The apostle Paul in the New Testament advised young Timothy to stir himself up in the Lord with the word and the words of prophecy over him not allowing fear to dominate his life.  What we feed upon is very important.  We are not to put our heads in the sand, but we are to trust God to perform His word and then to go forth...keeping our mind stayed on Jesus depite circumstances.

Is there anything tripping you up?
Do you have a circumstance like David that keeps you up at night?  During this time of "marching around the city" encourage yourself in who God is in your life.  Remember that He will never leave or forsake you and that He sees everything.  Though the way has been long He is there.  Isreal was in the desert 40 years...and whether or not your time frame is your doing or simply an unknown don't give up.  Praise and Shout now...and when the answer comes.