Sometimes you’ve gotta dance through the darkness
Sing through the fire
Praise when it don’t make sense
Sometimes you’ve gotta stare down the giant
Worship from the lion’s den
Based on that verse of Brandon Lake’s song, “Praise You Anywhere,” I can think of at least 5 occasions in the Bible when a believer praised God.
In all 5 of them, praising God was an act of faith more than feeling.
In all 5 of them, reasonable logic suggested it was best to give up, to complain, to play the victim or to despair in hopelessness.
But not when God is faithful. Because God is faithful, we always have reason to praise. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).
Faithful all my life
Blessings day and night
Countless reasons why
I’ll praise You anywhere
Every promise kept
Goodness every step
Each and every breath
I’ll praise You anywhere
That’s the chorus of the song. We praise the praiseworthy. We praise God because he is worthy of our praise. We praise God because of who he is and what he does.
Sometimes you’ve gotta praise in the prison
Cry out to heaven
Shout it ’til the doors swing wide
Sometimes you’ve gotta stand on your shackles
Brave in the battle
Worship with your hands held high
Praise is more than agreement. More than a shrug of the shoulders that says, “Okay.” More than a nod that says, “I guess so.” More than head knowledge.
Praise is inspired by God’s greatness to be great praise, and to exalt and adore God even more.
Praise is fueled by God’s excellence to be excellent praise.
Praise is transformed by the life-changing God to change our lives. Praising God changes you.
So let it go. Cry out! Shout! Dance! Raise your hands! Anywhere.
PRAYER: God, inspire my faith-filled praise with your faithful promises kept and performances of saving acts. I want to dance in the darkness, sing through the fire, and praise when it doesn’t make sense. You are worthy! Amen.
PRACTICE THE SONG: Enjoy this song. Practice singing it to prepare for this Sunday at CrossLife Church https://youtu.be/V39qPqyyB2A?si=dYvWmgnS7HCQlVFx.