PRAISES IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

PRAISES IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Key Verse: “The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

Supporting Texts: Psalm 34:1; Acts 16:25-26; 2 Chronicles 20:20-22; Psalm 46:1-3; Isaiah 43:2; Romans 8:28

Description: Genuine praise offered in the midst of trials demonstrates unwavering faith in God and invites His strength, peace, and supernatural intervention.

INTRODUCTION
It is easy to praise God when life is pleasant, prayers are answered, and everything is going well. However, the true test of faith is whether a believer can still praise God during seasons of hardship, disappointment, uncertainty, and suffering. Biblical praise is not based on circumstances but on the unchanging nature, character, and faithfulness of God.

The prophet Habakkuk lived during a period of national crisis and uncertainty. Instead of allowing fear and despair to overwhelm him, he made a deliberate decision to rejoice in the Lord. Although the fig tree did not blossom and the fields produced no food, Habakkuk declared that he would still rejoice because God remained his strength and salvation.

Every believer will experience difficult seasons. Financial challenges, sickness, delays, bereavement, persecution, or unanswered prayers may arise. Yet God calls His children to maintain an attitude of praise because praise expresses confidence that He is still in control and will ultimately work all things together for good.

1. PRAISE IS A CHOICE DURING TIMES OF TROUBLE
Praise is not determined by our circumstances but by our confidence in God's faithfulness.

a. Rejoice Regardless of Circumstances (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Habakkuk chose joy even when everything around him appeared hopeless.

b. Bless the Lord at All Times (Psalm 34:1)
God deserves continual praise in every season of life.

c. Give Thanks in Everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Thanksgiving reflects trust in God's sovereign will.

d. Trust God's Unchanging Nature (Malachi 3:6)
God remains faithful even when circumstances change.

Biblical Example: Job worshipped God after losing his possessions and children, acknowledging God's sovereignty despite his pain (Job 1:20-22).

2. PRAISE RELEASES GOD'S POWER
Praise creates an atmosphere where God demonstrates His mighty acts.

a. God Dwells in the Praises of His People (Psalm 22:3)
The presence of God is manifested where sincere praise is offered.

b. Praise Brings Divine Intervention (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)
As Judah praised God, He defeated their enemies.

c. Praise Breaks Chains (Acts 16:25-26)
Paul and Silas praised God in prison, and God opened the prison doors.

d. Praise Silences the Enemy (Psalm 8:2)
God uses praise to establish His strength against His enemies.

Biblical Example: King Jehoshaphat appointed singers before the army, and as they praised the Lord, God gave them victory without fighting (2 Chronicles 20:20-22).

3. PRAISE STRENGTHENS THE BELIEVER
When believers praise God, they receive renewed strength and courage.

a. The Lord Is Our Strength (Habakkuk 3:19)
God empowers those who place their confidence in Him.

b. God's Joy Gives Strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
Divine joy enables believers to endure difficult seasons.

c. Hope Is Renewed Through Worship (Isaiah 40:31)
Those who wait upon the Lord receive fresh strength.

d. Peace Guards the Heart (Philippians 4:6-7)
Thanksgiving brings God's peace into troubled hearts.

Biblical Example: David encouraged himself in the Lord after the destruction of Ziklag and found strength to recover everything that had been lost (1 Samuel 30:6-8).

4. PRAISE DECLARES FAITH IN GOD'S PROMISES
Praise is an expression of confidence that God will fulfil His Word.

a. Praise Before the Breakthrough (Mark 11:24)
Faith rejoices before the answer is visible.

b. God's Promises Never Fail (Joshua 21:45)
Every promise of God shall come to pass.

c. Praise Demonstrates Trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trusting God means honouring Him even when we do not understand His ways.

d. God's Timing Is Perfect (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The Lord makes everything beautiful in His appointed time.

Biblical Example: Abraham remained fully persuaded that God would fulfil His promise concerning Isaac despite the apparent impossibility (Romans 4:20-21).

5. PRAISE LEADS TO VICTORY AND TESTIMONY
Persistent praise prepares believers for God's glorious manifestation.

a. God Turns Mourning into Joy (Psalm 30:11)
The Lord replaces sorrow with rejoicing.

b. God Makes a Way Through Trouble (Isaiah 43:2)
God remains with His people through every trial.

c. Every Trial Has a Purpose (Romans 8:28)
God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

d. Praise Ends in Testimony (Psalm 126:1-3)
God transforms seasons of weeping into seasons of rejoicing.

Biblical Example: Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, yet God eventually exalted him to become ruler in Egypt, turning his suffering into a testimony (Genesis 41:39-44).

CONCLUSION
Praise in times of trouble is one of the greatest demonstrations of genuine faith. Anyone can praise God when everything is favourable, but mature believers continue to worship Him even when circumstances are difficult because they know that God is always faithful. Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God's greatness and opens our hearts to His peace, strength, and divine intervention.

Let us therefore cultivate a lifestyle of praise regardless of our present circumstances. As we continue to magnify the Lord in every season, He will strengthen us, fight our battles, renew our hope, and bring us into glorious testimonies. Like Habakkuk, may we confidently declare that the Lord is our strength and rejoice in Him always.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me the grace to praise You in every season of my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, strengthen my faith during every trial and difficulty, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let my praise bring Your divine intervention into every challenging situation, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, remove every spirit of fear, discouragement, and despair from my heart, in Jesus name.

5. Father, fill me with supernatural joy that cannot be shaken by circumstances, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, fight every battle confronting my life as I continue to praise You, in Jesus name.

7. Father, turn every season of sorrow into a testimony of victory, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let Your peace rule in my heart even in difficult times, in Jesus name.

9. Father, make my life a continual testimony of Your faithfulness and goodness, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my praise continually glorify Your holy name and bring honour to Your Kingdom, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive supernatural strength to praise God in every season of your life.

2. Every trouble confronting you shall become a testimony of God's power and faithfulness.

3. The Lord shall fill your heart with unshakable joy and perfect peace.

4. Every chain of discouragement and despair shall be broken by the power of God.

5. As you praise the Lord, He shall arise and fight your battles for you.

6. You shall walk upon your high places, and every limitation shall give way to divine victory.

7. The presence of God shall continually surround you and preserve you through every trial.

8. Your season of weeping shall give way to rejoicing and celebration.

9. You shall continually experience God's favour, strength, and miraculous intervention.

10. Your praise shall never cease, and your life shall continually reflect the glory, goodness, and faithfulness of Almighty God.