When we are in the throes of discouragement, or when we wonder about topics of great concern like war, the inhumanity of man against man, the rampant sin in our culture, or personal disappointments, nothing changes the landscape as quickly as focusing on rejoicing at the gifts we enjoy because we know God, His purposes, and salvation through His beloved Son, our savior.
When we have had decisions to make, or when we feel overwhelmed, that’s the time we need to bring our minds to the unmeasurable benefits of our faith which brings us to the very presence of the God of the universe. Then all the mere exigencies of life on this day, April 7, 2022 merely diminish as we celebrate the Kingdom that promises no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, pain, or discontent.
No, we are not yet in that peaceable kingdom, but we can raise our hands and energize our spirits as we sing, even with our feeble voices, “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
This day, in the basements of war-torn Ukraine, in the cells of persecuted Christians jailed for their faith in Jesus, in the hospital rooms and hospices, in our classrooms, in the great temples and cathedrals and huts of worship in other lands, may our praises come. May we remember jailed Paul and Silas, singing hymns and spiritual songs when the earthquake came and whole households of believers were baptized. May we remember Lazarus was dead, and Jesus restored His life. There was great rejoicing. and remember, as we enter Holy Week, that through the darkest hours, God called us to notice the little things: the testimonies of the centurion and others, the prayers of the saints, and the joyful reunion with the Risen Christ.
Psalm 95: 1-2 says: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rick of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.” In the midst of concerns, worries, even depression, we are called upon to look outside our troubles, above our self-centered concerns or the troubles that keep us tossing and turning at night and discouraged in the daytime, and focus, instead on the sure knowledge that God is sovereign, that He loves us, that He hears us when we call upon His name, and that He lived among us and knew the very troubles we face. And He knew that prayer could change circumstances, and that God always listens to the calls to Him. Entering His presence with joy is our privilege. Let us exercise it today.
MY PSALM 330 REJOICING
Almighty Father, Lord of the Universe,
I praise Your marvelous Name this day
For the triumphs of Your creation,
For the benefits of my salvation
Because You made us in Your image,
But far lower than the angels.
I praise You for giving us Your Word
Where You outline the plan of salvation
From before the beginnings of the world
That all would glorify Your Name eternally.
I thank You that even when we sin continuously,
You take us in Your arms with forgiveness
Through the righteousness of Your Son’s work
On the cross at Calvary.
I rejoice in the hope You provide us
To share in Your Perfect Paradise
Where we will worship You in spirit and in truth
And the purity of forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace.
Help us to praise You with timbrel and harp,
With song and dance, with glorious Hallelujahs
To Your Name.
For You are our God, and greatly to be praised.
With saints from all ages, with angels and elders
We will gather at Your throne in magnificent choruses
Singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, Hallelujah to Your Name. Amen.
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