Praising to Peace


Why are you so downcast O my soul, why are you disturbed within me, hope in God for I shall yet praise Him. Psalm 42:5

Remember the movie “The King and I” ? Anna taught the children a song that went like this…. “whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head up high and whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect….I’m afraid.” I remember flying with my husband in a small single-engined aircraft over the mountains of Papua New Guinea many years ago and I was feeling very nervous. My fears were quelled when my husband, who was flying the plane, started whistling a happy tune. I thought everything must be okay so I relaxed. It was only much later that I found out that when things were a bit difficult he would whistle so his passengers would not be nervous! Well, it worked for me…… at least until I found out his strategy!

David had learned to praise the Lord when he was fearful or disturbed. Right in the midst of his fearfulness he made a choice to praise the Lord. He spoke out a positive statement of fact. He admitted that he was disturbed, perhaps depressed or fearful. He also spoke out a decision to do something about it – he would get through it knowing that he would one day feel like praising the Lord again. In the meantime he would ‘hope in God’. When we make statements like that it has a positive effect on us. It brings a stability to us and a confidence. “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16)

Many things can happen to cause us to fear and when fear takes over it always takes us on a downward spiral which can end in hopelessness and despair. This is the time to make a decision to stand against fear. We can choose to praise God and ‘whistle a happy tune’. Put on some music and let your heart be lifted. Set your eyes on the One who is able to deliver you from fear and take you back into the realm of faith once again. We can praise ourselves to peace but it will take determination and perseverance on our part.

God’s word holds many promises of deliverance, hide His word in your heart so that when the difficult times or times of fear come you have something stronger to put your trust in than in your circumstances.

Prayer: Almighty and wonderful God, I choose to praise you and trust you because you have promised that you will never leave me nor forsake me. You have told me in your word that your plans for me are good. Thank you that you give me peace. Amen