Dark Night of My Soul
On September 28, 1982, my wife of 13 years, Jan, was killed in a single car accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As you could imagine, I became angry and bitter toward the Lord. I blamed Him for letting Jan die. After all I had done and endured for the gospel, I thought this was terribly unfair to me. Later, I realized I was angry at the wrong person. God did not cause my wife’s death.
About three weeks after the funeral, Oral Roberts called and asked me to come to his office. He had just lost a son in Tulsa, and we sat, talking about our pain. After about two hours, Oral stood up, pointed his finger at me, and said, “Terry, I’m going to tell you something that could save your life if you do what I say. Go home, get down on your knees, and start to pray in the spirit. You have got to begin to praise the Lord.” Even though it was Oral Roberts speaking, I still couldn’t believe my ears.
The next morning, my alarm went off before daybreak. I knelt by my bed and tried to enter into praise. The inner pain seemed unbearable. I said the word “Hallelujah.” It sounded hollow. It echoed in the room. I said, “I praise you Lord.” My thoughts began to taunt me.
It was the Devil who answered me. “Terry Law you are a hypocrite. How can you praise God after He killed your wife?” The Devil was sowing lies in my mind. “You don’t really mean those words,” he said. “You’re lying!” I said out loud, “Lord, I will bless you at all times. Lord, I will bless you at all times.”
After a few hours, I felt a pressure building up inside. It was like water building up behind a dam. I kept praising and what felt like a dam exploded. With a mighty rush, I began to cry with hot, stinging tears. It was like a cramp in my stomach had suddenly released. I felt the Holy Spirit take the oil of healing and pour it over my fractured, torn emotions. I was being healed. Obedience in praise and worship had brought healing to my inner man.
This concept has revolutionized my life. What Oral Roberts told me; I’m now saying to you. Praise God always…especially when it hurts.
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Make It Personal
Have you had a Jan experience where someone very close to you died unexpectedly? Have you received a terrifying diagnosis? Or, perhaps your child is running from God and you don’t know how to reach him or her?
How long has it been since you last said aloud the words “Hallelujah” or “Praise the Lord!”? How about speaking them right now? Say with me: “Hallelujah. I praise you, Lord.” I encourage you to speak those words over and over, again. Praise will release and build your faith. In the presence of the Lord you will find a breakthrough and his amazing grace.
When was the last time you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and his oil of healing? I encourage you to set aside time and space in your daily life to praise and worship the Lord. If you have forgotten how freeing it feels to be in the presence of the Lord, there’s no better time than today to start speaking aloud these words: “Hallelujah. I praise you, Lord.”
Scripture Meditation
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4 (NKJV)
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Revelation 19:6 (NIV)
Praise and Worship
Great is His Faithfulness by Charity Gayle
