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“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146:1-2 (ESV)

Most likely, we have all experienced a moment of deep grief that has literally brought us to our knees. We fall down because our physical self is overcome with despair or fear, and we cry out desperately to the only One Who is in control…the only One in Whom we can completely trust with our burden.

But sisters, there’s another type of knee-dropping, face-planting response that I pray each of you has had the privilege of experiencing: that of raw, unabashed praise for what God has done…for an outcome that confirms He is in control and the recognition that He is the only One Who could have accomplished what happened.

One of the first times in my life I experienced this was shortly after my husband and I became Christ-followers. We were in a desperate, impossible situation that had no logical, worldly remedy. But God. Although it was 20 years ago, I recall as if it were yesterday getting news we needed and then falling down onto my kitchen floor—face to the ground—crying in praise for His Sovereignty, mercy, and miracles.

And today. As I step back and acknowledge a series of answered prayers over the past 48 hours, I am amazed by Him and what He is doing in my life right now. My hands raise to heaven and my tears fall. I am humbled by His greatness.

Ladies, the longer we walk with the Lord, the more we learn to recognize—and appreciate—the daily miracles He provides, from a stunning sunrise to an unexpected healing. And that’s what He wants: for us to give Him all the glory.

But whether we’re young or old in the faith, let’s not neglect to praise the Lord with the same level of abandon that we may demonstrate in times of trouble. Sisters, let’s fall down in reverence! Let’s shout aloud for joy! Or, like King David, let’s “dance before the Lord with all (our) might” (2 Sam 6:14)!

“Lord, You are too awesome for words alone! I will praise You with all I am.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life