Is life so heavy that the song in our heart is gone? In this day and age, between pressing schedules, unbelievable news reports, and sudden moments of loss, a song is the last thing on our mind.
Even so, the Bible encourages:
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, trust in Him and His sacrifice for us, we are encouraged to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, continually.
Hymns are a great help to learn to praise. Everything created praises, according to All creatures of our God and King:
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing
alleluia, alleluia! (Paraphrase, William H. Draper. Author, St. Frances of Assisi, 1225).
Yes, the sun lifts its voice daily, the moon gives glory to God as the hymn brings melody to stir up heavy hearts with visions of hope and power:
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
We see these beauties everyday. They lift our eyes up above our earthly thoughts. This hymn ignites new direction of thought, vertical instead of horizontal.
From the weight of cares to praise to God. He is able to help in time of need.
We don’t have to be in church to worship God. We can praise God anywhere, but, there is added riches to efforts and investment of time when we come into the Lord’s house in a community, and
offer a sacrifice of praise.
We don’t always “feel” like praising God. Everyone walks through the doors of God’s house with individual pains and struggles, but a sacrifice of praise changes everything, especially . . . me.
Science has now proven the human brain functions in a more complete capacity when the thoughts and meditations are pleasant.
Praise to God brings supernatural change. The Creator of the Universe is near in our praise, that’s powerful.
We can praise God easily when things are going right, but can we praise before God “parts the Red Sea,” so to speak?
And when we make effort and sacrifice time to go to church, there is reward we don’t always see and don’t comprehend. God is found in hearts that seek Him. He draws near when we draw near to Him.
In church, the focus (should be) and is God. Not the other stuff that tries to take our thoughts, critique, distractions, etc.
He is the One who is able to do all things. Even if the song is not to our liking, we can make the willing choice to read it, speak it, and hear the truths.
With an open and willing mind, our hearts begin to see the common ground in the old hymn and admire it’s care to invoke praise through the trials:
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Yes, the winds are strong, the clouds are dark, God is greater and knows all things. O praise Him. Praise Him still.
Maybe, this is what, “be as a child means.” Children trust. Children believe.
And children are praisers. With their bright morning smiles and joyful eyes. With their energy and excitement, children bring praise.
The song of a child is pure and clear, much like the next verse speaking of the glorious sound of water:
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy Lord to hear,
alleluia, alleluia!
Everything gives praise, even warm fires and their glow, the hymn reminds that we watch praise to God wherever we go:
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest man both warmth and light,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
What if the masses stopped to praise? Would we be a different people? Oh, wouldn’t God be pleased?
What would it look like if we would praise God more? Would we put down pointing fingers?
And all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, God alone can change the heart.
God alone is near and able to comfort sufficiently, those with a broken heart.
It’s a season to give praise to God and join all creation whose already singing. Perhaps one heart at a time, tuned up and praising more, we will witness a changed culture. A culture that returns to walk through the doors of God’s glorious house , worship Him in humbleness, . . .
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, three in one.
This is how the world will be turned upside down, when His people offer a sacrifice of praise, in season, . . . and out.
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #248