Daily Journal: 19 April

The Peculiarity of Praise Against Casting Shadows

Sorrow can feel like a constant shadow. Yet, we can decide how it marks our life. We can decide what it will or will not produce. When sorrow or any of its associates (loss, bitterness, regret, disillusionment) create a presence in our life, praise can dispel their shadow and produce instead wisdom, counsel, and joy.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

This is praise.

The peculiarity of praise against casting shadows establishes its own foundation, its own platform to walk on every day. We may wake up feeling sorrowful but praise shifts our mindset. In practising the confession of praises, spoken or sung, we drown out sorrow and its associate shadows.

Practising praise changes our reactions and responses to shadows and elevates the knowledge of God in our lives. Practising praise cancels Satan’s plans of discouragement over our mind and uplifts our mood. Praises are a confession of hope and life. Hope and life banish the destructive temperaments that crowd in on our soul and try to drown out our praise. It’s a battle. In the process of drowning out our confessions, if they win even for a day, those temperaments drown out the vitality of our very life.

The battle of praise must be won every day. Learning to drown out sorrow or its associate shadows with praise not only strengthens us, it honours the victory of Jesus Christ, our light-bearer, and the cross.

James 1:17 (NASB)

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB)

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Question: Am I walking in the light of Christ, or am I walking in shadows?

Praise grounds me in the light of Christ against casting shadows.

Psalm 28:7 (TLB)

He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him, and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him.

Psalm 103:1 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Psalm 150:6 (TLB)

Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him!