Are you weird or something?
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
I don’t know about you dear reader, but I struggle with that little phrase: “bless…at all times.” It certainly is easy to bless when things are going right – by which I mean “my way”. However, God’s way for me may not always be in line with “my way” – in fact “my way” is more often than not diametrically opposed to God’s way.
This concept of praising the Lord in any and all circumstances of life is found throughout scripture in some form or another.
Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations; which is a record of his complaint before the Lord had this to say:
Lamentations 3:19-26 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. [20] My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. [21] This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [22] It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. [24] The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. [26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Why can we praise the Lord in every circumstance? Why should we?
Praise and worship has absolutely nothing to do with things and circumstances – but everything to do with the worthiness of God to receive the praise and worship that is His due.
The Lord is to be praised for Himself; and that alone; and not for what we get out of our relationship with Him. No matter what life dishes out to us; the Lord remains the same and is worthy of praise – no matter what!
Listen to Apostle Paul:
1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
To get our perspective right: when you know who’s in charge you can praise God – for good will always come out of every situation when you reckon the Lord into the equation. Paul says we can be thankful: in all circumstances and for all circumstances because God is in control and somehow (even though we fail to see it at the time), He will work it together for good.
As I asked at the beginning – “Are you weird or something?”
Start praising the Lord in and for every trial and tribulation and you will find as I have that the problems fade into insignificance in His Divine presence. Praise and worship brings God onto the scene.
David said: “I will bless the Lord at all times!”
Jeremiah said: “Great is thy faithfulness” - therefore he hoped in God.
Paul said: No matter what – give thanks and praise to the Lord.
Get weird and confound Satan as you praise the Lord in every situation – good or seemingly bad.
Peter Crause
This is not copyrighted and may be freely used and distributed.
e-mail: crause.pd@shaw.ca
