Probably the most difficult thing for me to do at times is to experience the joy of the Lord and to be positive when I don't feel it on the inside! The struggles of daily life can be overwhelming on most days. When I read the stirring encouragements to praise in Psalm 150, I wonder where would I get the gumption to be as enthusiastic as the psalmist!

Psalm 150:1-3,6 – Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (ESV)

Moving outdoors to a new scene can affect the way that we experience our God. Praising Him under His mighty heavens is to raise our eyes and hearts to travel in spirit from furthest east to endless west, knowing that He is praised by everything under the skies. A step into His sanctuary, either a church sanctuary or the sanctuary in our hearts, is to enter a sacred space set apart solely for His honour where we recognize that He is always present. In that holy place, even amid life's cares, we can praise Him for His mighty deeds, most significantly the freedom bought for us on the cross, and our sure hope of heaven in His resurrection.

The psalmist creates a scene of the orchestra of God's people, using their combined music to praise God, where no instrument is left out — woodwinds, strings, and percussion. This is no timid mouthing of the words, but a loud, resounding symphony. We can listen to Christian music to revive our tired spirits, praising Him for our salvation in Jesus, and the preparations even now going on in heaven for us.

Every breath that we breathe is a gift of God, and praising Him, even when we don't feel like it, is the best way to use it. Life has its ups and downs, sunshine and cloud, sadness and laughter. It all ends in a loud "Hallelujah!" if we stay focused on the excellent greatness of our God.

Prayer: Sing with me:

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 honour 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!
       – Fanny Crosby, 1889

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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