Despite the uncertainty and instability all around us, and the challenges that many of us are facing at this point in time, the Spirit of God is calling on us, and urging us to praise God like never before.
Psalm 59:16-17 NLT
“[16] But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. [17] O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.”
God in His sovereignty and wisdom is asking us to cast off the garments of fear and mourning, and take up the mantle of radical praise! Our salvation, redemption, hope, deliverance and victory in this season, all lie in our PRAISES!
The simplest and most common way we can express our praises to God is to sing to Him. Indeed, we cannot praise God effectively without singing!
HOW CAN WE SING THE LORD’S SONG IN A STRANGE LAND?
However, it’s not always easy to sing to the Lord, especially when you’re down, unwell, afraid, depressed and/or oppressed and don’t even feel like opening your mouth. The people of Israel knew what that felt like…
Psalm 137:1-4 ESV
“[1] By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. [2] On the willows there we hung up our lyres. [3] For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” [4] How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?”
However, it is possible to still praise God in the midst of our challenges, by singing to Him. I love Psalm 63, written by David, when he was hiding from his enemies in the barren wilderness of Judah. It was an intense time of loneliness for David and he longed for a friend, someone he could trust; David longed and yearned for God!
During his sleepless, lonely and uncomfortable nights, David would turn his thoughts towards God. He would reflect on the things that God had done for him in the past, and the ways He had already helped him. This so encouraged and strengthened him that he could greet and embrace each new day with songs of praise…
Psalm 63:1-5 NKJV
“[1] O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. [2] So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. [3] Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.”
My dear friend, if for whatever reason, you are feeling low, mournful, heavy hearted, and not particularly feeling like praising God in an exuberant way; you may join me in praising and worshiping by singing Jeremy Riddle’s version of “PSALM 63,” which I love very much. Click on the link to listen. https://youtu.be/li6DuyRBAW0?si=diOsAo_t0bBnVP6d
For Further Reading: Psalm 42; Psalm 63; Psalm 149:2-4
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
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