Read Psalm 92.
When you’re sitting on the couch, a cup of your favorite beverage in your hand, quietly listening to music, you may find it easier to say along with the psalmist: It is good to praise the Lord. But let’s just be honest, most mornings look a little more like ours did this morning: dishes piled in the sink, child bent on a spoon that is nowhere to be found, running late for work (and just plain not wanting to go to work) and then your child’s apple juice goes everywhere which brings a flood of tears - and let’s just be honest, things didn’t get any better with each passing minute.
The last thing I wanted to agree with this morning was proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. This morning it was hard to write about praising the Lord for his goodness, love and faithfulness. And then I thought, no. Let’s be real here. God doesn’t just call us to praise Him when things are quiet and beautiful. He calls us to praise him in the midst of the chaos.
Psalm 92 not only tells us to praise His Name but to do it with music, singing and instruments. I don’t know about you, but there is something about music that speaks to my soul. It allows me to express my heart when my words fail me.
When my 3-year-old was an infant, he had colic, screamed all the time and slept very little. This time was chaos like I’ve never experienced. I remember one morning after Steven had gone to work, I put my son in his carrier and began to walk him up and down our living room begging Jesus to make the crying stop. My friend had posted the song 10,000 Reasons on Facebook and as I walked with my wailing infant, I bawled my eyes out and sang at the top of my lungs.
“Bless the Lord oh my soul oh my soul. Worship His holy Name. Sing like never before oh my soul. I worship Your holy Name.”
This did not make the crying stop. This did not make my son go to sleep, but it was one of the sweetest times of worship I have ever had because my God met me there. As I proclaimed His love in the morning and his faithfulness at night, he reminded me of His greatness. He did not take me out of my current situation, but instead He spoke to my heart and told me to cling to Him, not to my own strength. He whispered words of encouragement and love over my exhausted body and mind. He did that as I praised and worshiped Him for being bigger than my circumstance.
So whether you’re in a moment of sweet tranquility or a total tantrum, take a moment to agree with the Psalmist:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night.
For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
And then maybe take a moment, click on this link and sing like never before, oh my soul. Worship His holy Name.
-- Jamie Rungaitis