God's Glory Church

“Sing to the Lord, His saints.” — Psalm 29:5

Susie cried as she sat outside the hospital’s intensive care unit. Waves of paralyzing fear washed over her. Her two-month-old baby’s tiny lungs were filled with fluid, and doctors said they were doing everything they could to save the infant, but made no guarantees. According to her, at that moment she “felt a gentle push of the Holy Spirit, which reminded her of worshiping God.” Unable to sing, she played praise songs on her phone for the next three days in the hospital. While worshiping, Susie found hope and peace. Today, she says that this experience taught her that “worship doesn’t change God, but it definitely changes us.”

Faced with desperate circumstances, David turned to God in prayer and worship (Ps. 29:9). One of the commentators notes that the psalmist prayed “for the grace that is given in praise and transformation.” God changed David’s “weeping… into joy”, and he declares: “I will praise You forever” (vv. 12-13). Although it can be difficult to praise God in painful times, praise can lead to change – from despair to hope, from fear to faith. And He can use our example to encourage and change others (vv. 5-6).

By God’s grace, baby Susie’s health has fully recovered. Therefore, the Lord can transform us and fill us with new joy (v. 12), if we worship Him even in spite of our pain.

How can worshiping God affect you? How can your example affect others?

Dear God, please change me as I worship You in spite of pain and hardship.

Author: Tom Felten