In late 2024, I found myself spiritually dry—stuck, longing for renewed intimacy with the Lord. So I prayed that the Lord would reignite my prayer life.
Two months later, crisis hit. Prayer answered. Not sure I’ll ever pray that again!
Around the same time, I had also prayed that the Lord would help me start singing again. I am not a gifted singer, but singing had always been a source of joy and stress relief, but I had fallen out of the habit.
When the crisis came and I began seeking the Lord more fervently than ever before, I realized something important: God not only gives us music as a gift—He commands us to praise Him through song.
Psalm 33 is just one example:
Here is the command:
“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous;
praise befits the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
(Psalm 33:1-3)
Why should we sing?
Because the Lord is faithful. His Word is true. He loves righteousness and justice. By His spoken word the heavens were made. He commands creation, directs history, and His purposes stand forever. (paraphrase of Psalm 33:4-11)
What happens to those who praise Him?
God’s eyes are upon those who fear Him and place their hope in His unfailing love. Earthly strength cannot save us, but the Lord delivers, protects, and sustains those who trust in Him. He is our Help and our Shield. (paraphrase of Psalm 33:12-22)
“But the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:18)
The word “psalm” means a song or poem of praise— God gave us an entire book filled with them! Singing and music are woven throughout Scripture. When Moses received instructions for the tabernacle, musicians and singers were appointed for worship. Moses and Miriam sang praises after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Mary sang praise when she learned she would bear the Messiah. Scripture even describes creation itself singing praise to God—the birds, the mountains, and even the trees.
”Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy." (Psalm 96:12)
Two stories, in particular, suggest that songs of praise often precede and seem to trigger God’s miraculous work! Acts16 tells us Paul and Silas were imprisoned, beaten, and chained. Yet at midnight they prayed and sang hymns to God. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison, the doors flew open, and the chains fell off.
But the other story is the one that has brought me the most comfort. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20. When I was crying out to God in the midst of crisis, this passage came to me from three different sources within a single month. King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah found themselves facing three advancing, overwhelming armies. Their situation was hopeless by human standards. So they sought the Lord and prayed:
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
(2 Chronicles 20:12)
Through a faithful prophet, God assured them that the battle belonged to Him. The next day, Jehoshaphat did something extraordinary. He appointed singers to go before the army, praising the beauty of God’s holiness.
Then Scripture records these remarkable words:
“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies.”
(2 Chronicles 20:22)
The enemy armies turned on one another, and Judah won a complete victory without lifting a sword. In faith, they praised before they saw the victory. In faith, they didn’t attempt to control what God said He would handle. Is there a situation in your life today that you need to turn over to the Lord? Can you praise Him now for His faithfulness and for His perfectly timed future victory?Maybe you need to start singing His praises too. Maybe God has got you on your knees for such a time as this. Maybe your prayers and your songs of praise will be the trigger for some heavenly battle that you can’t even imagine. Maybe God is ready to handle it in a way that is wildly better than you could.
Our songs of praise have power. They lift our eyes above our circumstances. They calm our own anxious hearts and encourage others as well. They strengthen faith. And sometimes, they seem to precede God’s miraculous intervention.
So sing!
Sing when life is joyful.
Sing when life is hard.
Sing even before the situation has resolved.
Sing when you don’t know what to do.
Lift your eyes to the One who does.
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Father in Heaven,
Your Word is true, and Your ways are perfect. Teach us to wait on You faithfully, whether in seasons of peace or seasons of crisis. You are our Help and our Shield who works all things, good and bad, for the good of those who love Him.
Make our hearts joyful through the discipline of praise, even when circumstances are difficult. When victory seems impossible, place a song of praise on our lips and hope within our hearts. Help us trust in Your perfect timing and sovereign plan.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. (2 Chron 20:12) Thank You that Your eyes are on us as well. (Psalm 33:18) Hold our gaze, Lord!
May Your peace and Your Word dwell richly within our hearts as we sing songs of praise!
We pray these things in the mighty and victorious name of Jesus, Amen.
From Psalm 33, 2 Chronicles 20, Colossians 3
Helpful Resource: https://sing.theworshipinitiative.com this link will take you to a well done daily devotional that will get you singing!
