Tag Archives: praise

March 25
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“Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13b, NIV)

James reminds us that the rhythm of a disciple’s life is not all labor and toil.  There are many periods of happiness and joy.

As we ought to run to God when trouble arrives, we ought also to give thanks to God when our path is smooth, the weather is fair, and our neighbors are friendly.

The natural person attributes the presence of these things to many sources other than to God: Luck, one’s knowledge or skill, or the favor of others. The disciple sees only God (even when God is acting through others) as the source of all blessings.

James recommends this response: Praise God in song.  Indeed, “praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below. . . ”  – Luther

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February 27
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“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

It is a sad day, indeed, when we — for reasons I cannot begin to fathom — stop singing.

We sang as children, and we loved it.  In fact, who among us doesn’t remember the songs we learned and used to sing as children?

We love it anytime we hear birds sing (as I was surprised to hear early yesterday while shoveling snow).  In fact, their melodies are particularly welcome in late Winter, when we yearn for any promise of Spring.

You may be a fan of other people’s singing; but God has given you a voice, and He delights in hearing your voice in song.  You needn’t sing like Adele.  You needn’t sound like Sinatra.

Are you wondering what to sing?  Sing of His faithfulness.  Sing of His love.  Sing of His greatness, His mercy, and of His care of you.

Just sing. It is sweet music to our heavenly Father.  – Luther

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January 1
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New Year’s Day 2015

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

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