PRAISE YOUR WAY THROUGH

As we continue to find ourselves going through this tumultuous season of life, you may not realize it but it is truly a season of sunshine and rain. Though we have seen difficult and tragic events unfold, we have also been recipients of and witnesses to glorious and miraculous things God has done in our midst. Even as we struggle through these adverse times I am certain each of us has been blessed in some manner throughout this ordeal. For instance, just waking up is a blessing. Having food, shelter and clothing is a blessing. Your heart beating, your eyes blinking and your mind thinking is a blessing. The earth enjoying a sabbath rest is a blessing. Maybe the Lord has straightened out a situation for you, softened someone’s heart or blocked a disaster. Maybe you’ve experienced an unexpected provision, a divine healing, a closer walk with God, strength to endure a hardship or any of the countless things God has done and is still doing as we speak. The nature of our physical experiences on earth are described by St. Matthew who said “…He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” This tells us that everyone is subject to the same earthly conditions that can affect all of our health, wealth and relationships. But if you notice that St. Matthew said the Lord makes “HIS” sun to rise, not ours. He is in control and everything including us belongs to Him. Therefore, where others may be discouraged, we say, “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not!“ Where others may despair, we say, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side!” And, dear ones, the fact is that the Lord was on our side before we were on His side. · " We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4: 19) and "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8) At a time when our focus can understandably be on events both good and bad as they unfold before us, sometimes we just have to shift our focus squarely on to God. This helps us to avoid allowing our fluctuating circumstances to toss us about like churning waves and turbulent winds of a hurricane. And though these things are definitely real and they have their seasons, our union with God is even more real and, bless His holy Name, it is an “all-season” connection. During the era of human slavery in our country, those precious souls were able to endure the horrors of this savage institution because they enthusiastically praised and worshipped God. And they didn’t do it just because of what their needs were, but simply just because He was God. They understood that He knew what they needed even before they asked. So just like Job, during their dark days they were able to proclaim “The LORD gave and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” and at the peak of their suffering declare “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Through faith they understood the temporary seasonal nature of all earthly things so they focused on keeping the faith because Jesus said “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away” and He would never leave them nor forsake them. And so, let us shift our primary focus away from the events of the day and on to the goodness of God. Let us pause and reflect on the glory, the majesty, the splendor and the grandeur of God. Take a moment and admire with awe His beauty, His mercy, His kindness, His compassion and His love. Be still and immerse yourself in His presence where nothing else matters. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name. And honor Him not only with our lips but with our whole hearts. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 150 [1] Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power. [2] Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. [3] Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. [4] Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. [5] Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. [6] Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. May you all have a blessed and glorious day because my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.