Praising God: A Choice in Every Season

Devotional

Day 1: Praise in Every Season

To praise God in every season is to declare His goodness regardless of our circumstances. Life brings both mountaintop moments and valleys of hardship, but true praise is not reserved for the easy times. Instead, it is a powerful act of faith that pushes back against fear, discouragement, and doubt. When you choose to bless the Lord at all times, you are not ignoring your struggles—you are exalting the One who is greater than any problem. Your praise becomes a weapon and a witness, reminding your soul and the world that God is still worthy, even when life is hard. [08:37]

Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Reflection: When was the last time you praised God in the middle of a difficult situation? What would it look like for you to intentionally praise Him today, even if your circumstances haven’t changed?

Day 2: Praise Is a Choice, Not a Feeling

Praise is not dependent on how you feel or what you are facing; it is a decision rooted in faith. David wrote Psalm 34 while running for his life, yet he chose to bless the Lord. You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your confession. When you choose praise, you declare that your trust is in God, not in your emotions or the outcome. Let your praise have no expiration date—let it rise in the day and in the darkness, on the mountaintop and in the valley, because God is always worthy. [11:24]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you’ve let your feelings dictate your praise? How can you make the choice to praise God today, regardless of how you feel?

Day 3: Praise Breaks Chains

Praise is not just an expression; it is a force that breaks chains and brings freedom. When Paul and Silas sang in the prison, the doors opened. When Judah praised, God confused their enemies. When Joshua’s people shouted, the walls of Jericho fell. Your praise has the power to shift atmospheres, break strongholds, and move heaven on your behalf. Don’t let suffering silence you—let your praise rise, even in the midnight hour, and watch God move in ways you never expected. [12:48]

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

Reflection: What “chains” or obstacles are you facing right now? How can you use praise as a weapon to confront them today?

Day 4: Praise Must Be Personal and Persistent

Praise is not something you can delegate or wait for someone else to do for you—it must be personal and persistent. God has done specific things in your life that deserve your voice of gratitude. Whether it’s waking you up, giving you peace in pressure, or reminding you of your purpose, your praise should be spoken out loud and lived out daily. Don’t let the enemy steal your sound; keep praising, even when you’re tired or confused, because your praise keeps you in a posture of victory. [14:14]

Psalm 150:6 (ESV)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Reflection: What is one specific thing God has done for you recently that you haven’t thanked Him for out loud? Take a moment today to speak your praise to Him personally.

Day 5: Praise Is Rooted in Who God Is

The foundation of our praise is not what God has done, but who He is. God’s holiness, worthiness, and faithfulness never change, no matter what is happening in your life. Even when you are waiting for a breakthrough or walking through uncertainty, He still deserves your praise. Let your worship rise, not just for blessings received, but because God is eternally worthy. [16:17]

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from praising God for what He does to praising Him for who He is? What attribute of God will you praise Him for today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the power and necessity of praising God in every season of life. Drawing from Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth,” the call is to embrace a lifestyle of praise that is not dictated by circumstances, but anchored in faith. In a world where praise is often conditional—dependent on good news, answered prayers, or favorable outcomes—God invites us to a deeper, more resilient posture. Praise is not just a response to blessings; it is a declaration of trust and a weapon against despair, fear, and discouragement.

David’s example is striking. He wrote these words not from a place of comfort, but while running for his life, hiding in caves, and facing uncertainty. Yet, he chose to bless the Lord. This teaches that while we may not control our circumstances, we can always control our confession. Praise is a choice, not a feeling. It is an act of spiritual warfare, pushing back against the enemy’s attempts to silence us in our suffering. Every time we praise, we remind ourselves and the spiritual realm that God is still good, still sovereign, and still worthy—regardless of what we see or feel.

Praise is also deeply personal and persistent. It must be in our own mouths, not just in the mouths of others. It’s not enough to let someone else praise God for us; we must find our own reasons, rooted in our own stories, to lift our voices. Whether God has given us peace in pressure, real friends in a fake world, or purpose in a season of confusion, there is always a reason to praise. And praise is not silent—it is spoken, sung, and lived out, especially when life is hard.

Ultimately, praise is not about what God has done, but about who He is. As long as we have breath, we have a reason to praise. This is the posture that keeps us victorious, hopeful, and connected to the heart of God, no matter what season we find ourselves in.

Key Takeaways

1. Praise as Spiritual Warfare: Every act of praise is a direct assault on doubt, fear, and discouragement. When we choose to bless God in the midst of trouble, we are not ignoring our problems but exalting the One who is greater than them. Praise shifts the atmosphere and reminds both us and the enemy that our hope is anchored in God, not in our circumstances. [08:37]
2. Praise is a Choice, Not a Feeling: David’s declaration, “I will bless the Lord,” is a reminder that praise is an act of the will, not a reaction to how we feel. Even in the darkest valleys, we can choose to praise, and in doing so, we take authority over our confession and refuse to let our circumstances dictate our worship. [11:24]
3. Praise Without Expiration: The call to bless the Lord “at all times” means that our praise should not have an expiration date. Whether in daylight or darkness, on the mountaintop or in the valley, God remains worthy. This kind of persistent praise is a testimony to our faith and a refusal to let the enemy steal our sound. [12:48]
4. The Power of a Personal Praise: Praise must be personal and come from our own mouths. It is not enough to rely on the worship of others; we must recount our own reasons for gratitude—how God has met us, kept us, and called us. Personal praise is authentic, powerful, and cannot be silenced by the enemy. [14:14]
5. Praise Anchored in God’s Character: True praise is not based on what God has done for us lately, but on who He is—holy, worthy, and faithful. As long as we have breath, we are called to praise, not because of our circumstances, but because of the unchanging nature of God. This keeps us rooted and victorious, no matter what comes our way. [16:17]
** [16:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer
[02:05] - Introduction to Psalm 34:1
[03:00] - The Call to Praise in Every Season
[04:30] - Praise as a Declaration of War
[06:00] - Praise is a Choice, Not a Feeling
[08:37] - Controlling Your Confession
[09:50] - Praise Without Expiration
[11:24] - Giving Thanks in Everything
[12:48] - Praise Breaks Chains
[13:30] - The Power of a Personal Praise
[14:14] - Speaking and Living Out Praise
[15:30] - Don’t Let the Enemy Steal Your Sound
[16:17] - Praise for Who God Is
[17:18] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 34:1 (ESV) — > I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) — > Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 34:1, when does David say he will bless the Lord? What does the word “continually” suggest about the frequency of praise?
In the sermon, what are some specific situations mentioned where people usually find it hard to praise God? ([08:37])
The sermon mentions that David wrote Psalm 34 while running for his life and hiding in caves. How does knowing David’s situation affect the way we read his words? ([11:24])
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 say about giving thanks, and how is it different from only giving thanks for good things?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the preacher say that praise is “a declaration of war” and not just a statement of worship? What does this mean for how we view praise in hard times? ([08:37])
The sermon says, “Praise is a choice, not a feeling.” What does it look like to choose praise when you don’t feel like it? ([11:24])
The preacher talks about praise being “personal and persistent.” Why is it important that praise comes from our own mouths and not just from others around us? ([14:14])
According to the sermon, what is the difference between praising God for what He has done and praising Him for who He is? Why does this matter? ([16:17])

Application Questions

The sermon says, “You may not control your circumstances, but you can control your confession.” Think about a current challenge in your life. What would it look like to choose praise in that situation? ([11:24])
The preacher gave examples of praising God for things like real friends, peace in pressure, and purpose in confusion. What is one specific thing in your life right now that you can praise God for, even if it’s small? ([14:14])
When was the last time you let your circumstances “steal your sound” and you went silent instead of praising? What could you do differently next time? ([08:37])
The sermon says, “If the enemy can steal your praise, he can silence your power.” What are some practical ways you can keep praise on your lips during a tough week? ([14:14])
The preacher mentioned that praise is not silent—it is spoken, sung, and lived out. Which of these comes easiest for you, and which is hardest? How can you stretch yourself to praise God in a new way this week? ([14:14])
The sermon challenges us to praise God not just for what He’s done, but for who He is. What is one attribute of God (like His faithfulness, holiness, or love) that you want to focus on praising this week? ([16:17])
The preacher said, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” What would it look like for you to make praise a regular part of your daily routine, no matter what’s happening? ([16:17])

Sermon Clips

``people of god this is not just a statement of praise this is a declaration of war every time you open your mouth to bless the lord you are pushing back against the forces of doubt every hallelujah is a strike against fear every thank you jesus is a counter attack against discouragement because praise is not passive it's powerful it's not just what we do when we feel good it's what we do to remind ourselves that god is still good even when life doesn't feel like it when you praise you're not ignoring the problem you're exalting the problem solver [00:10:16] (38 seconds) #praiseisapowerfulweapon

But you can't let the enemy trick you into your silence. You can't let your circumstances steal your sound. When you lift your voice in praise, you're not just expressing emotion, you're establishing authority. You're setting the atmosphere and reminding hell that you still have hope, because praise is both a weapon and a witness. It tells your soul to rise again, your field to bow down, and it tells your future, God is not done with me yet. [00:10:54] (30 seconds) #praiseestablishesauthority

Let me tell y 'all this, praise is a choice, not a feeling. Amen. David says, I will bless the Lord. He doesn't say, I feel like praising the Lord, but he says, I will. Church, praise is not based on your feelings or what's going on at a time. It's based on your faith. [00:11:24] (18 seconds) #praiseisachoiceoffaith

David wrote this psalm during one of the lowest moments in his life, running for his life, hiding in caves, and pretending to be insane to survive. And yet, even in the middle of what he was going through, in the middle of the chaos, he says, I will bless the Lord. Can I tell you all this? tell you that you may not control your circumstances, but you can control your confession. And if your confession is praised, it shouldn't have any expiration date. [00:11:41] (27 seconds) #controlyourconfession

Please note this church, the devil wants you to go silent in your suffering, but your praise can break chains. even in the midnight hour. Just ask Paul and Silas. They didn't wait for daylight. They sang in the dark, and the prison had no choice but to open up. Ask Judah. When Judah was surrounded, they didn't call for soldiers. They called for singers, and when they praised, God sent confusion into the enemy's camp. Ask Joshua. Those walls of Jericho didn't fall by force. They fell after a shout of praise. [00:13:09] (31 seconds) #praisebreakschains

Because your shout causes confusion in the enemy's camp. Your shout causes walls to fall that were never supposed to be in your way. Your shout causes chains to break, even in the ones you didn't know you were wearing. Your shout causes heaven to move and hell to tremble. [00:13:48] (16 seconds) #praiseshoutsdownwalls

So don't you dare go quiet now. Don't you back up. And don't you shut down. I dare you to let the enemy know you can't have my sound. Somebody say you can't have my sound. I may be tired, but I still praise him. I may be confused, but I still worship. I may be waiting on the breakthrough, but I won't wait to bless him. [00:15:32] (25 seconds)

Because I learned something. Praise is not based on how I feel. It's based on who he is. And since he's still holy, since he's still worthy, since he's still faithful, then guess what? He still deserves it. [00:15:57] (15 seconds)

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