Devotion: Praise Amidst the Storms

Scripture: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18

Life is full of storms—seasons when nothing seems to work, when every door seems shut, and hope feels distant. In those moments, it’s easy to feel defeated, to let despair overshadow our faith. But Habakkuk reminds us of a powerful truth: even when everything around us seems to be falling apart, we can still praise God—not for the circumstances, but for who He is.

Habakkuk paints a vivid picture of complete loss: no crops, no livestock, no signs of provision. Yet he declares, "I will rejoice in the Lord." Why? Because his joy wasn’t tied to his circumstances—it was rooted in the unchanging character of God.

When we praise God amidst the storms, we’re doing two things:

  1. We declare our trust in His sovereignty.
    Even when nothing makes sense, we trust that God is still on the throne. He sees what we cannot see, and His plans for us are always good. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

  2. We shift our focus from the storm to the Savior.
    Praising God doesn’t deny the pain or the reality of our struggles. Instead, it lifts our eyes to the One who is greater than the storm. It reminds us that our hope is not in what we see but in the God who is with us through it all.

Consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25. Beaten and chained in prison, they didn’t focus on their suffering. Instead, they prayed and sang hymns of praise to God. Their praise became a weapon, breaking not only their chains but also bringing salvation to others.

How Do We Praise in the Storm?

  • Praise His Character: Even when circumstances change, God remains faithful, loving, and good.
  • Praise His Promises: Remind yourself of His Word. He has promised never to leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6) and to work all things for your good (Romans 8:28).
  • Praise His Presence: Storms remind us of our need for God. His presence is our refuge, our strength, and our peace in the chaos.

Reflection:
What storm are you facing today? Are you struggling with unanswered prayers, financial difficulties, or emotional burdens? Take a moment to shift your focus. Instead of magnifying the problem, magnify God. He is greater than your storm, and He is with you in it.

Prayer:
Lord, even when the fig tree does not bud and the fields produce no food, I will praise You. Even when my circumstances seem hopeless, I will rejoice in You, my Savior. Teach me to trust You in the storm, to see Your hand in the midst of chaos, and to worship You for who You are. Let my praise rise like incense, a sweet offering to You, and may it strengthen my faith and bring You glory. Amen.

Hold on to this truth, my dear, God is worthy of our praise, not because of what He gives, but because of who He is. Let your praise be a beacon of hope, shining even in the darkest storms. You are more than a conqueror in Christ!

Comments

  1. Anonymous23 November 2024 at 23:01

    In all situations, let us praise God for His goodness and mercy shown to us

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous23 November 2024 at 23:23

    Praise is a powerful weapon against the devil and his army. When we praise God wholeheartedly, it invites God to fight our battles.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Hand of Grace in the Snowstorm: My Gratitude Story

Image
  Last Wednesday was a day that reminded me of God's unfailing grace and protection. It began as a simple act of love—a chance to help my son Frederick during his school’s bake sale. I had volunteered to fry a beloved Ghanaian snack, boflot (puff loaves), a treat I was excited to share with his school community. I woke up early, kneading the dough and carefully waiting for it to rise before frying each piece to perfection. The joy of knowing my son appreciated my efforts gave me motivation, even in the biting cold. Once everything was ready, I packed the snacks and set off for his school. The weather that morning was challenging, thick fog, snow, and gusty winds. Driving cautiously, I arrived safely. Seeing Frederick waiting for me with a smile in front of the school library warmed my heart. I handed over the snacks, exchanged hugs, and started my journey back home. The return trip, however, was harrowing. The snowstorm continued fiercely, reducing visibility. As I drove in th...
Read more

From Despair to Hope: A journey Through Joblessness

Image
  Hello, everyone. Today, I want to share a deeply personal story, a journey that has stretched my faith, tested my strength, and shown me the light of God even in the darkest of times.   It’s been almost three months since I graduated from nursing school. I thought it would be a time of celebration, stepping boldly into the job market and beginning the career I had worked so hard for. Instead, it became a season of waiting a season I never expected.   In these three months of joblessness, I’ve walked through the valley of depression, despair, disappointment, and discouragement. Each day felt like an uphill battle. There were times I questioned my worth, my abilities, and even my purpose.   But as if that wasn’t enough, life threw more challenges my way. During this time, my son fell ill, and I also battled my sickness. Some days, it felt like everything was too much to bear. Yet, despite my struggles, I found myself encouraging other friends and loved...
Read more

Grateful in the Waiting: Trusting God’s Perfect Timing

Image
Lessons from the Slow Lane: Trusting God's Timing Have you ever been stuck behind that one driver who seems determined to stick to the speed limit when you’re in a hurry? Last week, I experienced this firsthand. On my way to work, every minute felt like an hour as I trailed behind a slow-moving car. Frustration mounted as time slipped through my fingers, and I couldn’t help but wonder, “Why can’t this driver just hurry up?” As I sat there, inching along at a snail’s pace, a thought struck me: isn’t this how life feels sometimes? We encounter seasons where progress seems stalled, where everything around us feels stuck. In these moments, it’s tempting to cry out, “Why, Lord? Why now? What am I supposed to learn from this? Finding Purpose in the Waiting That moment behind the wheel became a revelation. I realized that even in life’s waiting periods, there is something to look forward to. Just as the car ahead wasn’t a hindrance but a lesson in patience, life’s delays teach us to trust...
Read more