JUST PRAISE HIM!

JUST PRAISE HIM!

As I sit here thinking over the past few days, I am reminded of those moments when things just didn’t go quite right, and situations come into my lives suddenly which brought worry and concern.  The world around us can become very dark at times and troubles surround us, but He calls His people to praise Him in the midst of it all.  And He calls me and each one of His children to just praise Him!  And to praise Him when, at the end of the day, we can look back and see that He took care of each one of those issues in our lives.

I talk to people and see situations come into their lives which bring depression and much pain.  I talked to a dear sister in the Lord just today who is very distraught over situations in her life at this moment and in much physical pain, and my heart goes out to her.  But in the midst of such despair, He is calling us to praise Him, for God is in the midst of her pain and despair and your pain and despair!  Oh, what a wonderful God we serve!  

As I was talking this morning with a sister in the Lord we praised Him for the strength He gives in each moment of our days, and we wondered how people can walk through such things without Him, and some I have heard of recently, don’t even want Him in their lives, even in the midst of pain and terminal illness.

Oh, that people would just look up and “see” Jesus, and know that He cares so much and is not willing that anyone perish without Him!  Time is so short and we all desire that our family and friends come to know this wonderful Lord that we serve.

But I have seen the Lord answer even the smallest concerns of my life in the last couple of days, and in the midst of all we go through as we walk with Him, He calls us to just praise Him in the midst of it all, and praise Him for who He is and what He has done.

Stop and think with me for a moment back over the last week and remember what the Lord has done in your life, how He has answered prayer, and take a moment to give Him praise.  He wants to fill us with joy and sing joyfully as we lift our hands in praise to our “blessed Redeemer.”

PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!

“Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children, in His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered and bled and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.  Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows; love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King! Christ is coming over the world victorious, pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

In this hymn written by Fanny Crosby, we are called to tell of His excellent greatness.  We are called to praise Him, praise Him in joyful song.  We are called to give Him glory, to honor His holy name with great shouts of praise.  Can we do that in the midst of the trials that we go through on this journey we are on?

In those days when all seems so dark and confusing, He actually carries the lambs in His arms.  You are one of His lambs.

“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” Isaiah 40:11.

He calls us to praise Him for our salvation, for He is our blessed Redeemer!  He gave His life that we may have eternal life.  His love is unbounded, as I said in a previous blog, His love is like the mighty oceans, rolling and rolling over us.  Who can understand the depth of His love.  So our call is to praise Him, praise Him!

Our Wonderful Lord reigns forever and ever, and someday He will come back as King of kings and Lord of lords!

“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD: I will sing praises to my God while I have my being” Psalm 146:1-2.

PRAISE the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful” Psalm 147:1-2.

So whatever is the trial of this day, no matter what the problems and obstacles you may face, God lives in the praises of His people.  I know it is hard to praise Him while the storm blows around you, but even if you just whisper a praise to Him, call out to Him in the midst of the wind, He is there and will gather you into His precious arms.

So on this day, when the sky is grey with smoke in our area, or there may be storm clouds in your area, lift your eyes and praise Him for your Salvation.  Praise Him for your hope in eternity with Him.  Praise Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon you.  Praise Him that He promises to load you with strength for the journey daily.  Praise Him for His grace and mercy to you. Praise Him for answered prayer.  Praise Him for all His precious promises in His Word.  Praise Him for His soon return.  And I could go on and on with reasons to praise our Wonderful Lord!  But I call you to praise Him because He is our Precious Lord and Savior, who promises to never leave us alone, to always be with us.  May you be blessed as He receives your praises!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon