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"Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful."
(Psalm 147:1)
Ashley and I had a great visit with our family in Arkansas last week. We do not get to see them as often because of the distance. But they are doing very well, and what a joy it was to spend a few days with those grandbabies. Bryant and Kyndall have two sons, ages 1 and 2. I was reminded why God gives littles to the young!
A new song by Chris Tomlin is playing in my mind; the title is "How Good It Is", based on Psalm 147:1. It is always a good time to sing praise to Jesus and worship Him. In some seasons, it is easier to do this than in others. Anyone can praise God with ease when all is well in his or her life. But it is a sacrifice of praise when you and I sing praise to God in the middle of the struggle. But oh, how good it is to praise God in every season of life. In good times and bad, happy and sad, the Lord is worthy to be praised.
Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." Perhaps you find yourself in one of those challenging seasons of life. Your current trial has not lasted for a brief time, but just the opposite. It has been ongoing for weeks, months, or perhaps years, and you ask, "Where is the Lord? When will He come through for me and answer or help or deliver me?" Those cave-dwelling, valley-living days are no fun. But how do you respond? Two of the best ways to respond are prayer and praise. We need to both pray to God and give God praise in these very low moments of our lives. For in doing this, we will be doing the right thing, and it will change our attitudes. The Lord has impressed upon me regarding the current trial I am undergoing that He is more interested in what is going on inside me than what is happening around me.
Let me admonish you to pause and give praise to God. Do not forget Him in the mountain top experiences when all is well. Recognize that it is His goodness alone that has granted you such serene, prosperous, and blessed days. Praise Him on the mountain. Perhaps you are living through a trial in your life. It will take some spiritual fortitude on your part to lift your hands in worship, sing praise to God, and pray prayers of thanksgiving to Him. Let us praise Him in the valley. Oh, how good and pleasant and powerful it is to do this precisely during these barren and painful times in your life.
God has a plan. The breakthrough is coming. The Lord has you. Carry on. Be faithful!
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