Talk Tuesday-The Journey of Praise

This weekend the LORD taught me a very valuable lesson. Perhaps it is one that I forgot or one that I needed to be reminded of. It was a lesson about worship. 

Have you ever felt so discouraged and overwhelmed while waiting on the LORD for an answer to prayer that it overshadows everything else in your life? Have you ever felt weighed down by the trials in life, wondering when your are going to get a reprieve? Well, the Bible tells us, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength," Nehemiah 8:10. We are also reminded that GOD is enthroned in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

So, this weekend in my heaviness of spirit, I picked up my guitar. My husband and I sang praises to the LORD and prayed. Afterwards, I wondered why I did't experience the rush that worship usually brings. The next morning I went to church and as the worship team played, I struggled to worship. I still didn't feel the ecstasy that comes with praise. On Sunday evening, I attended a worship service at our main church. They sang all my favourite songs, I danced, clapped, praised, and yet wondered why my heart felt so desperately unmoved. It was then, in the closing moments of the service as the choir and worship team began to sing, "I sing because You are good," that the Holy Spirit reminded me that worship is not for me, it is for Him. I worship Him because He IS GOOD, because HE IS GOD. Suddenly the weight of heaviness and sense of failure lifted from my heart. I realized that I didn't have to feel happy or emotionally charged to worship GOD. I am not worshiping Him because of my circumstance, I am worshiping Him in spite of it. I simply worship GOD for who HE IS. Peace and joy began to flood my heart once again.

No matter what we are going through in life we are to praise Him. It is our act of walking by faith and not by sight. It is a declaration of who GOD is and a humble acceptance of who we are. He alone is GOD and KING, we are His children. May the LORD strengthen His church by the mighty power of His hand, as we march forth singing His praises all the days of our lives until we meet Him in heaven!

"I will extol you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of Your majesty, And I will meditate on Your wonderful works." Psalm 145:1-5