Praise, Honor, and Glory to God Alone
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalm 33:1
What is a Christian to do when faced with disappointment, disaster, and despair? To address that question may we turn to the Psalms. A number of the Psalms express lamentations of the Psalmist. He cries to God for help and strength in the midst of difficulties which helps me to realize times don’t really change, just the circumstances do. The question I open with doesn’t ask what we might do if we face trials, but rather when we face trials.
There are also other Psalms, that remind us because God is Creator, Lord, Savior, and Deliverer, He is worthy of our trust and praise. Another thing that strikes me is that the Psalms represent that we can lament life’s situations and rejoice in and praise God at the same time. Whatever situation we face, good or bad, we should always be thankful that we are declared righteous in His sight when we trust in the only begotten Son, Jesus.
In this Psalm the Psalmist is rejoicing in the Creator of the world. The Creator whose plans stand forever. The Creator who loves righteousness and justice. The Creator whose work is always done in faithfulness. The Creator whose love, expressed to our Scriptural heroes, is still the same love the Creator has for us today.
With the assurance of His love for us we can be certain that there is no adversity that can stand against a heart that delights in the Lord, and there is no difficulty that can overcome the person that is filled with praise for God. The authors of the books and letters in Scripture knew the Lord in a unique way, and we are beneficiaries of their relationships. But the Lord still calls each of us to cultivate a personal relationship when we hear His voice, and we interact with Him.
Strive to make it habit each day to be like the Psalmists who lifted their voices in praise and thanksgiving for the blessing that the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. That simple act can transform attitudes in a moment!
Lord God, I praise Your holy name for all Your goodness to me and to all mankind. Thank You that You have adopted me into your family, and I pray to never forget Your loving-kindness. May praise be always on my lips, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.