This is one of my favorite psalms. In the first place it says "make a joyful noise" not "sing sweetly on key." The criteria for our singing is joy, not musical ability.
But no one can be joyful all the time, can they? That depends on where your joy lies. If the joy of the Lord is your strength, then you can be joyful all the time. God is always with you. If he is the source of your joy, nothing can change it.
When things seem blackest, we can praise the Lord for who and what he is. He inhabits the praises of his people. No matter what circumstances surround us, he is unchanging and always sure. If your security is in him, nothing can shake it.
This truth allows us to be grateful to God for who and what he is, no matter what happens around us or to us.
So at all times and in all seasons, we can bring a sacrifice of praise to him. Blessing his name for who he is.
That sacrifice of praise will hold you together in the roughest of times. It draws you closer to him and reminds you of all his power and righteousness.
In a time when I thought I would drown in grief, the old hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, came bubbling up out of my middle. While the grief was still there, I had an assurance that it would not overwhelm me, that with God's help I could get through it.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
For that I was and am mightily grateful.
Father, God,
Thank you for being our peace and our strength. Remind us at all times to come to you with praise and thanksgiving so that we may always be blessed of you.
In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment