This week as our Bible reading brings us to Psalm 81, we are reminded of the importance of praising and thanking God. Verse 1 says to “Sing aloud to God,” and to “Shout for joy to the God of Jacob.” As I read this I am faced with a question: When is the last time I stopped for just a few minutes and thanked the Lord for everything He has done for me? I know sometimes I can get so caught up in the busyness of life that I almost completely forget to thank God for blessing me the way He has. So before you read any further, take a moment and thank God for His blessings on your life.
I love how the psalmist first says “Sing aloud” and “Raise a song” to God, but it doesn’t stop with that. The psalmist says “Praise Him with your tambourine, your lyre, your harp, or your trumpet!” Essentially he’s saying, “Hey, whatever you have in your hands, go ahead and praise God with it!” I think sometimes we can put praise and worship in a box, and then reserve that box for Sunday mornings only. Maybe you associate the word “worship” with “Sunday morning service.” The psalmist would most definitely disagree with that! You can praise God wherever you are, no matter what’s happening around you. Maybe that’s in your car on the way to work tomorrow morning. Maybe when you’re in the carpool line picking up your children from school. Maybe it’s right in the middle of a frustrating day at work. Wherever you find yourself during your days, you can worship Him there!
Church, let’s get serious about offering our praise and worship to God! Don’t let another day go by without thanking Him for His blessings. Don’t let yourself get so caught up in day to day life that you forget to be thankful. Verse 7 of this very Psalm reminds us of a reason to be thankful. “In distress, you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder…” God never leaves or forsakes you. When you are stressed out, lonely, and don’t see how you can carry on another minute, God is right there with you. Let’s take comfort in that truth, and let’s not forget to thank Him for it!
Psalm 81: Let us Praise the Lord!
By Jacob Mock
This week as our Bible reading brings us to Psalm 81, we are reminded of the importance of praising and thanking God. Verse 1 says to “Sing aloud to God,” and to “Shout for joy to the God of Jacob.” As I read this I am faced with a question: When is the last time I stopped for just a few minutes and thanked the Lord for everything He has done for me? I know sometimes I can get so caught up in the busyness of life that I almost completely forget to thank God for blessing me the way He has. So before you read any further, take a moment and thank God for His blessings on your life.
I love how the psalmist first says “Sing aloud” and “Raise a song” to God, but it doesn’t stop with that. The psalmist says “Praise Him with your tambourine, your lyre, your harp, or your trumpet!” Essentially he’s saying, “Hey, whatever you have in your hands, go ahead and praise God with it!” I think sometimes we can put praise and worship in a box, and then reserve that box for Sunday mornings only. Maybe you associate the word “worship” with “Sunday morning service.” The psalmist would most definitely disagree with that! You can praise God wherever you are, no matter what’s happening around you. Maybe that’s in your car on the way to work tomorrow morning. Maybe when you’re in the carpool line picking up your children from school. Maybe it’s right in the middle of a frustrating day at work. Wherever you find yourself during your days, you can worship Him there!
Church, let’s get serious about offering our praise and worship to God! Don’t let another day go by without thanking Him for His blessings. Don’t let yourself get so caught up in day to day life that you forget to be thankful. Verse 7 of this very Psalm reminds us of a reason to be thankful. “In distress, you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder…” God never leaves or forsakes you. When you are stressed out, lonely, and don’t see how you can carry on another minute, God is right there with you. Let’s take comfort in that truth, and let’s not forget to thank Him for it!