It’s cool being in Latin America as someone who studied Spanish in college. I can read all of the street signs, and most of the time I understand what’s going on around me. At church, I can follow along in my Spanish bible and understand most of the message, whether it be about gozo (joy), alabanza (praise), luz (light), or dones espirituales (spiritual gifts).
However, the other night we were at a church service, and during the praise and worship, I realized that I didn’t understand anything that was being sung. Caleb, another missionary who is serving here, leaned over to me and said, “I’m glad you get to experience some worship in Quechua!”
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. It’s great that I know Spanish, but I don’t speak Quechua. As they were singing though, I did pick up on one word: Hallelujah. That one I do know. Hallelujah, highest praise. As they were singing, the Lord spoke to me and said, “That’s they only thing that matters. You don’t have to understand what’s going on in order to praise me.”
I was reminded of one of my favorite stories in the Bible in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas were in prison. They definitely understood that the only thing that mattered was praising God.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once ALL the prison doors flew open, and EVERYONE’S chains came loose.” (v.25, 26)
Our praise has power, not only to free us and to break chains in our lives, but also to free others and break their chains as well. We are called to praise in the good and in the bad. Paul and Silas were in prison, and they were still praising the Lord.
Our praise is what matters. Maybe you don’t understand what’s going on around you because of a language barrier. Maybe you don’t understand what’s going on because God is working in different ways in your life. Maybe you don’t understand why certain things are happening in your life.
But I can assure you of this: our praise is what matters. Let’s make the decision to praise God no matter what. In the midst of confusion or heartache or joy or pain, let’s continue to praise Him.
