Praise

Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail. I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain. (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.) Habbakuk 3:17-19 The Message

A man, woman, or child with eyes of faith see beyond what's before them. They look to the promises of God, even in the face of apparent lack. They have learned to praise God, when the days look dark and bleak. Praise is the language of strong belief.

We can praise Him for His promises, believing that He'll bring them to pass. When we worship God in the darkness, we invite the Lord to come and work on our behalf. The Scripture says that the Lord is enthroned on our praises. When we worship God in the midst of our trouble, the Lord sets up His throne in the middle of our chaos. He brings God's Rule on the scene. He restores, He heals, He provides, He comforts, and He minsters His grace to us.

Let's praise Jesus when things are going our way and when life is hard. Let's set our focus on the wonderful attributes of God and on the riches of His word. When we do, we will grow in intimacy with the One who made us and we will invite Him to work miracles in our lives. Let's learn to speak the language of praise. Let's put our trust in the God of Heaven. He will hear us, and He will help us in our time of need.

© Copyright 2010 by Tom Toya. All rights Reserved.