You shall go out with joy. But I know it is hard to rejoice when you have no peace. However, if you think you have no peace, you are mistaken if you are born again.
Peace was deposited in you when you made Jesus the Lord of your life. The way to activate that peace is to operate in joy. When you rejoice, then peace will flood your entire being. And that joy will release the power of God to operate in your behalf.
What does it really mean to rejoice? I know what would happen if the sweepstakes representatives showed up at your door with a $10 million check with your name on it. You would not be standing in one place saying, "Oh, thank you." You would be jumping, laughing, and shouting. You would be singing, and giving God the glory.
That's what praise is. But, money is great while we're here, but this life is short. It is but a vapor in the wind compared to eternity. Because of Jesus we are not headed for eternal death in hell when this life is over. In Christ Jesus, we are privileged to rule and reign with Him forever in heaven. That's a whole lot more than money. With that in mind, it shouldn't be hard to be joyful. It shouldn't be hard to give a shout of praise unto God.
The one who should praise God the most is the one who is facing problems right now. You are the one that this message is for. And I would venture to say that the last thing you feel like doing is praising and laughing and shouting the victory. But, in order to get the victory over this thing, you have to praise Him more than ever.
So praise Him even when you don't feel like praising Him. Sing when you don't feel like singing. Do it anyway. And when you do it you release God's power. Abraham gave God glory, and God gave him the miracle.
You don't need to be at church to praise God. You don't need any music to praise. You can stop right now and give a shout of praise to the Lord, because He has been good to you!
Scripture References: 2 Chronicles 20:17-22; Philippians 4:6-7
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
