Introduction

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where praising God just doesn't seem to make any sense? Life is filled with problems, hardships, and pain. Even the most righteous individuals in the Bible faced their fair share of challenges. David, a great man of God and king of Israel, endured much pain. Job, a righteous man, experienced unimaginable grief and suffering. These examples show us that life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like praising God doesn't make any sense.

The Decision to Praise

However, there are moments when we must make a choice to praise God despite our circumstances. In the book of Habakkuk, the prophet declares his decision to rejoice in the Lord even when everything around him seems to be falling apart. He says, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior" (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV).

The Ugly Praise

This kind of praise is what I like to call "ugly praise." It's not about looking good or putting on a show. It's about praising God with all our hearts, even when our circumstances don't warrant it. Ugly praise is not concerned with winning a beauty contest; it's about holding onto our sanity and finding strength in God. It may not be pretty or polished, but it captures the attention of heaven and paralyzes hell.

Examples of Ugly Praisers

Let's look at some examples of ugly praisers in the Bible. Job, despite losing everything he had, tore his clothes, shaved his head, and fell down to worship God. David, when faced with the loss of his family and the threat of stoning, encouraged himself in the Lord and gave Him an ugly praise. Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, prayed and sang praises to God in the darkest hour of their lives.

God's Response to Ugly Praise

What happened when these individuals offered their ugly praise? God responded. He turned Job's situation around and restored double what he had lost. He delivered David from his enemies and blessed him abundantly. He shook the prison where Paul and Silas were held captive, setting them free and bringing salvation to the jailer and his family.

The Church of Pretty Praisers

In contrast to ugly praisers, there are those who only praise God when everything is going well in their lives. They are concerned with appearances and are uncomfortable with real, raw praise. But God desires our ugly praise more than our pretty praise. It takes faith, effort, and a willingness to let go of our inhibitions. Ugly praise may not be socially acceptable, but it moves the heart of God.

Conclusion

If you find yourself in a difficult situation today, I encourage you to give God your ugly praise. Don't worry about trying to pretty it up or conform to societal expectations. God loves your authentic, heartfelt praise. Your ugly praise has the power to bring about miracles, breakthroughs, and supernatural turnarounds in your life. So, let go of your inhibitions, open your mouth, and give God the praise that doesn't make any sense. He is waiting to respond and bring you out of your situation.

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