A PANDEMIC PRAISE!
‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. ~1 Chronicles 17:7-8
Who would have thought our 2020 would be centered around this perfect storm known as "pandemic". Just the thought of COVID-19 and its potential consequences prick at the very heart of our communities, our churches, our families, our children.
Pandemic is a powerful word. It's a lesson in humility because by its very nature, it is out of our control.
But there is something we can control. We can harness the power of the word itself and use it for God's glory. We can reshape our mindset to evoke God's favor rather than live in frustration.
Psalms 18 tells us that "life and death are in the power of the tongue". That means how you use your words matter. Use yours to make God and his goodness go viral.
It's time for a pandemic praise!
Sounds easy but, given the presence of pain we encounter daily, how can we know it's okay to be happy?
Is it alright to celebrate the shifts?
Here are three ways to know it's time to praise Him anyhow:
#1 - It's okay to praise God because there's a purpose for your pivot!
King David was frustrated at the fact that he had a palace, but God didn't have a home and so he decided to build God's temple. He had good intentions but God would not allow David's destiny, his legacy to be confined by brick and mortar. By telling David,"no", God elevated him to a level where unlike a building, his kingdom and his relationship with the King of Kings would be established forever.
‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. ~1 Chronicles 17:10c-11
Did God change your plans this year? Are there eternal consequences for His decision?
Seek out the reason for your pivot. You may have something new to celebrate.
#2 - It's okay to praise God because He has a plan for your pivot!
David didn't have to do anything to merit this favor except be who he was... "a man after God's own heart". Building a temple would require money, time, and years of work. The alternative only required trust. He is the Master Architect. His thoughts and ways are so much better than ours and certainly more efficient and effective. Let Heaven do its' work. Put in your sweat equity singing his praises.
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men. “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, Lord. ~1 Chronicles 17:16-19
and finally....
#3 - It's okay to praise God because your pivot has a promise!
David sets the standard...
“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. ~1 Chronicles 17:25-26
Don't let your doubt drown out your praise! The Bible tells us God is not a man that He should lie. A promise made is a promise kept, and David knew it. His trust in the promise transcended what he saw, and God honored him for it.
Who wouldn't praise a God like that?
The beginning of the New Testament literally begins with a proclamation that the promise has been fulfilled:
This is the genealogy [an account of the origin] of Jesus the Messiah [Christ, The Anointed One] the son of David, the son of Abraham... ~Matthew 1:1
My prayer for you today and in the coming days is that let yourself engage in a
PANDEMIC PRAISE; one that is intense, highly contagious, and cannot be overlooked.
The Lord, your God deserves nothing less.
Take Care. Be safe. Look like LOVE.
WRITER | MENTOR | TEACHER
LOVER OF CHOCOLATE |
PURPOSED TO EMPOWER |
30+ YEARS IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP |
PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
Phillipa also the Founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization providing diaper assistance to families in need and opportunities for mothers to empower themselves.
Look for her upcoming book,
GOD n You: Finding Your Place in Forever.
