While I was getting ready this morning, a disturbing thought ran through my mind: Would I still serve and praise the Lord if He decided to take my little girl home. Tears rolled down my face as I even pondered this reality, but the question was still valid. Unconditional and unwavering faith means in all things, I will trust God completely and praise Him no matter what happens. While I don’t believe this is His plan during this trial, I really had to answer this question in my mind. In all things, we are to praise the Lord, but the very thought of losing my little princess breaks my heart.
Sydney is almost 2 weeks old and while these have been some of the happiest days of our life, they have also been some of the saddest. The waves of emotions have taken us to the highest mountain tops and to some of the lowest valleys. I can only imagine the pain God felt as He watched His Son be sacrificed for our sins. When I think of sacrificial praise, I believe it means that it must cost us something. It means even when we are hurting and in despair, we must praise the Lord. As our praise is lifted up despite our hurt feelings and pain, it becomes faith in action. When we praise God, even in our times of despair, we release His omnipotent power. When we can praise Him regardless of what we are walking through, we will see His goodness and know that His love endures forever. Our praise is a weapon and when we can praise God, even in our trials, we will begin to understand what sacrificial praise is. It’s easy to praise God when everything is going great, but the true test of faith comes when we can praise Him regardless of our circumstances. II Corinthians 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” I know that is what God is up to and I know that as I praise Him, He will come alongside me to comfort me, so that I can in turn comfort others.
Life Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement by Jeff Davis 
Profound and oh so true, if all God’s children could get this planted in their hearts there would be so much more peace and happioness. I praise our awesome God for your strong immoveable faith. May HE rewoar you by letting Sydney come home very very soon.
Jeff, the Lord must be so proud of you. He’s probably telling everyone in heaven about “His servant Jeff.” You are learning so much through this difficult time. I’m glad you’re writing it down. I’m really glad you’re sharing it with us.
Standing with you in prayer.
Dianne
Praise is definitely a weapon to use during times of difficulty. Praise wins many battles. You are truly a gifted writer and your words of truth are encouraging. Your post brings to mind King Jehoshaphat, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:14-16
18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever.”
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Praying and Praising right with you and Kristen. We love you guys so much.
Jeff,
God is definitely using you even while you and your family are going through this difficult time. I know your powerful testimony is speaking to others who may be going through similar trials. The ability to praise and worship while you and Kristen watch Sydney suffer is astounding.
This Scripture comes to mind: Isaiah 40:28-31: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
I pray that you and Kristen will gain strength as you “soar above this situation with Sydney”, giving God praise and honor for all that He has and is doing in your lives. I am believing that our Creator will continue to touch little Sydney’s body and you all will be home soon.
LOL,
Joyce
Good word Jeff. I am so proud of you and blessed to see where your walk has taken you. As Dianne said, God must be so proud. When we walk through the fire and self gets burned away, His light shines more brightly in us. We will continue to pray for Sydney’s health and your peace and endurance, as well as wisdom for her physicians. Give my love to Kristen and Sydney.
Blessings.
Sherri