When You Need to Raise a Hallelujah
Bruce and I slid quietly into the last row in the sanctuary just as the worship band started to sing.
My whole body felt on fire. I was sweating like I’d run a marathon, and I’m quite sure my blood pressure was through the roof.
The past 48 hours had aged me, and the world felt heavy.
I had no idea how we were going to make it through.
I’m just not strong enough. I can’t do this.
I sucked in a deep breath and started using the church bulletin like a fan to try to cool myself down.
Lord, I need you. I need you to come like the rain and cover me with a refreshing.
I closed my mind to everything around me and let the eyes of my heart look up to heaven as everyone around me sang. The words were hard to say, so at first, I just mouthed them. My soundless lips formed faith-filled phrases I desperately needed to hear.
I needed to raise a hallelujah.
Sometimes it hurts to say hallelujah. It’s hard when everywhere you look you see the fingerprints of a hellish plot to destroy you.
How can this be part of your plan for me, God? I just don’t understand why You allowed this.
Have you ever been there? Is your weary heart tired of trusting God because your dream is shattered into a million tiny pieces?
I get it. Really, I do.
Maybe God is waiting for you to look up and mouth a hard hallelujah. Maybe that’s where the healing begins.
Friend, God can but speak a word and create something out of nothing. Look all around you at the delicate flowers and leaves of grass. He orders everything beautifully.
And, He does not stand idly by and watch us weep. He wails with us. Our Savior is a Man of Sorrows. He took on flesh and gave all to set us free from this brokenness.
One day soon, God will wipe away every tear. No more death. No more defeat. No more oppression. Every obstacle will be removed.
Your Deliverer is sweetly singing salvation over your life.
Sometimes, our pain screams so loudly we just struggle to hear the rhythm of redemption that underscores everything we experience.
I have to believe there is a heavenly melody stronger than all the noise in this world.
For the last 4 months, I have whispered hallelujah in the darkness, and God has met me in the space between fear and faith.
I have forced my lips to form the word even when I wasn’t feeling it.
Hallelujah, today I get to breathe. Thank you, Jesus.
Hallelujah, Your mercies are new every morning. The sun will shine again.
Hallelujah, You bring dead things back to life.
Hallelujah, You are my Help. You are my hope. You are my healing.
I don’t know where you are standing right now, but God sees you. Your Abba Father knows your every heartache.
He longs to give you beauty for these ashes.
Maybe you aren’t ready to step into the sanctuary and sing hallelujah today, but God will meet you in a hallway. You can trust Him with your shattered heart.
Ask Him to help you whisper hallelujah.
4 Reasons You Need to Raise a Hallelujah
When you are knocked down by opposition, hallelujah helps you look to God who holds you up above your enemies.
The enemy of your soul wants to cover you in shame and fear, but God is the Lifter of your head. Shout unto the Lord with arms upraised right where you are, and the Lord will subdue the opposition and give you a firm place to stand.
“God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.” (Psalm 27:6, MSG)
When you are overwhelmed with worry and doubt, praise elevates your spirit and drowns out the unbelief.
On those nights when the questions about “what if?” are cluttering up your mind, don’t let the enemy rent space in your head and rob you of much needed slumber. Just say no to those questions and rehearse the truth. As you speak His name, declare He is good, and make melody in your heart, His peace will guard you and give you rest.
“I lie awake each night thinking of You and reflecting on how You help me like a Father. I sing through the night under Your splendor-shadow, offering up to You my songs of delight and joy! With passion I pursue and cling to You. Because I feel Your grip on my life, I keep my soul close to Your heart.” (Psalm 63:6-8, TPT)
When you lack strength to make decisions or take action, worship equips you with strength to lift up God’s Word like a weapon.
Remember the walls of Jericho fell as the people of God carried trumpets and kept marching. God will equip you for battle. Use whatever God has placed in your hand to praise Him, and you will see those strongholds come down.
“For He enjoys His faithful lovers. He adorns the humble with His beauty and He loves to give them the victory. His godly lovers triumph in the glory of God, and their joyful praises will rise even while others sleep. God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war!” (Psalm 149:4-6, TPT)
When you feel vulnerable and defenseless, thanksgiving is a war cry proclaiming God fights your battles.
The God of Angel Armies will hear you shout His name and surround you with His protection. You have victory in Jesus, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper.
“But me? I will sing of Your strength. I will awake with the sun to sing of Your loving mercy. Because in my most troubled hour, You defended me. You were my shelter. I will lift my voice to sing Your praise, O my Strength—for You came to my defense. O God, You have shown me Your loving mercy.” (Psalm 59:16-17, VOICE)
Are you ready to raise a hallelujah?
To help you get started, I put together list of “10 Verses to Help You Raise a Hallelujah.” Download a copy, print it out, and pray over one passage each morning for the next 10 days. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As you whisper hallelujah right where you are today, you are encouraging the weary hearted to turn to the God of hope for their salvation and strength. He alone is God, and He is worthy of our praise. He will give you a new song to sing as you raise a hallelujah, and everyone around you will watch in wonder. One glorious day, we will all stand together before the throne and sing holy, holy, holy.
Until then, may this lost world hear our praises roar and find redemption.
Raise a hallelujah even when it hurts, and you’ll start healing.
Raise a hallelujah even when it hurts, and you’ll start healing.
Click To Tweet
⇓
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your commitments and constantly running on empty? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to Refuel with rest and soul care.
ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?
SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.
YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.
[image error]
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box. 
