Have you ever had “one of those days”? A day when nothing seems to be easy, a day filled with stress and frustration? I had a day like that yesterday. Even in my prayer time I felt hindered. But I clearly heard the voice of the Spirit say, “I am here.” And that gave me peace.
But what was I praying for? It seems that every member of my family is going through a struggle right now. Each one’s struggle is different, ranging from physical ailments and sickness to emotional stress and depression to thoughts of worry and anxiety, to spiritual discouragement and stagnant faith. I found myself repeatedly crying out to God, “Please heal us!” And the Lord’s response to me was unexpected, “Praise Me! There is healing in praise. Focus on Me right now, not on all the people you want to pray for. That will come later.”
Healing comes with praise? That seems different. I usually think of healing coming with fervent prayer. So, I looked into God’s Word and found several verses that speak of praise and healing going together.
“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones…I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him and restore comforts to him…I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the LORD, And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:15-19
The Lord is near to us when we humble ourselves in His presence, and He gives us the words to praise Him. He creates the fruit of our lips and speaks peace into our storm. No matter how far off you feel from God, right now, you can be brought near to Him through praise. And through that praise the Lord will bring healing and restoration to your body, soul and spirit.
And I especially liked these verses in Jeremiah 17:14-16,
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. Indeed they say to me, ‘Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now! As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You…You know what came out of my lips; it was right there before You.”
It is not easy to praise the Lord when things are hard, and when doubts creep in and say, “Where is the word of the LORD?” Don’t hurry away from the presence of the Lord. Tarry a while and wait patiently for Him to do what He wants to do. Focus on Him and press through your pain and frustration. Praise Him for who He is—your loving and gracious and powerful and majestic Heavenly Father. Then you will receive a breakthrough. Then you will be flooded with His peace that passes all understanding.
“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:20-21