Praise the Lord

 

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He ogives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 113 ESV).

 

Yesterday I encouraged you to find your “sanctuary” (what I usually call “cathedral”). When I work with people who are experiencing difficult times and challenging circumstances, I often like to give them words of encouragement in the form of a challenge. For example, I’ll invite them to begin each morning with a cathedral moment where they find something to praise God about. This is precisely what the psalmist of our reading today is doing. This psalm was often sung just before people took up the first cup of wine at the Passover meal. They were remembering the goodness and faithfulness of God to the people of Israel.

 

Saying “Praise the Lord” (Hebrew: “Hallelujah”) is also the perfect way for us to start the day, remembering the goodness and faithfulness of God. It helps to set the tone for the day, and it puts our attitude in the right place. It also reminds us that God is bigger than our circumstances and that no one else is like the Lord our God.

 

We can also sing God’s praises before going to sleep at the end of the day. When we praise someone, it means we know something significant about that person and what they have done. The more we experience the fullness of God in our lives, the easier our praise of God will be.

 

As we practice, morning and evening, to praise God’s name, we are reminded that we have a heavenly Father and a friend who is always with us and provides everything we need. This is the path to strength and peace during our challenges.