206 Sermon Illustrations on Praise

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless His holy name!

He has done great things,

He has done great things,

He has done great things–

Bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless His holy name!

*

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!

2. My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of Thy name.

3. Jesus! The name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease,

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life and health and peace.

4. He breaks the pow'r of cancelled sin,

He sets the pris'ner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean–

His blood availed for me.

5. Hear him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,

Your loosened tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold your Saviour come;

And leap, ye lame for joy.

6. Glory to God and praise and love

Be ever, ever giv'n

By saints below and saints above–

The Church in earth and heav'n.

[Tune “Azmon”]

*

1. O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

2. We'll praise His name forever,

We'll praise His name forever,

We'll praise His name forever,

Christ the Lord.

3. We'll give Him all the glory,

We'll give Him all the glory,

We'll give Him all the glory,

Christ the Lord.

4. For He alone is worthy,

For He alone is worthy,

For He alone is worthy,

Christ the Lord.

[Tune “Adeste Fideles”]

*

Chorus

Let's just praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord!

Let's just praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!

Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord!

1. O we thank You for Your kindness, we think You for Your love,

We have been in heav'nly places, felt blessings from above;

We've been sharing all the good things the fam'ly can afford,

Let's just turn our praise t'ward heaven and praise the Lord.

2. Just the precious name of Jesus, is worthy of our praise,

Let us bow our knees before Him, our hands to heaven raise;

When He comes in clouds of glory with Him we'll ever reign,

Let's just lift our happy voices and praise His name.

*

1. Jesus, the very thought of Thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see

And in Thy presence rest.

2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the mem'ry find

A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,

O Saviour of mankind.

3. O hope of ev'ry contrite heart,

O joy of all the meek,

To those who fall how kind Thou art!

How good to those who seek!

4. But what to those who find? Ah, this

Nor tongue nor pen can show —

The love of Jesus, what it is,

None but His loved ones know.

5. Jesus, our only joy be Thou,

As Thou our prize wilt be;

Jesus, be Thou our glory now

And through eternity.

[Tune “St Agnes”]

1. "Man of Sorrows!" what a name

For the Son of God, who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood—

Sealed my pardon with His blood:

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

3. Guilty, vile and helpless we,

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

Full atonement! Can it be?

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

4. Lifted up was He to die,

"It is finished!" was His cry;

Now in heav'n exalted high:

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

5. When He comes, our glorious King,

All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song we'll sing:

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

[Tune “Man of Sorrows”]

*

You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life,

Lord of the land and sea;

You were Lord of the heavens before there was time,

And Lord of all lords you will be.

We bow down and we worship You, Lord.

We bow down and we worship You, Lord.

We bow down and we worship You, Lord.

Lord of all lords you will be.

You are King of creation and King of my life,

King of the land and sea;

You were King of the heavens before there was time,

And King of all kings you will be.

We bow down and we crown You the King.

We bow down and we crown You the King.

We bow down and we crown You the King.

King of all kings you will be.

*

When we lived in India a rather novel incident occurred involving one of our household staff. He hailed from a village, and the city was quite new to him. One day, as a special treat, my mother gave him some money to see a movie. This was a first for him. When he returned, you would have thought he had walked on the moon. He was ecstatic. "What happened?" we asked.

He told us that when he got to the theater, the movie had already begun. He walked into the dark hall and could not see his way around. He happened to be facing the back of the room from where the movie was being projected, and saw the beams of light through an opening in the wall. He enjoyed that sight for a moment, thinking that this was what a movie was. By chance he turned around and was astounded to see a picture on the screen in splendid color, and in Hindi shouted, "Eureka!" He scrambled over people and stumbled to a seat, entranced for the rest of the movie. We had seldom laughed as hard, along with him I might add, at his unspoiled demeanor and childlike delight.

It seems that God has done the same with us in unfolding who He is. The ways He spoke to humanity were like that beam bearing the picture’s particles only as a glittering ray - numberless specks glistening and moving in the same direction - until in one composite, splendor-filled picture, the light fell upon the face of His Son and, as recorded in John’s Gospel, the disciples said, "We beheld His glory...full of grace and truth. They shouted too: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

You see, everything a person creates can at best only bear similarity to that object. Like a sculptor who carves her own image or an artist who paints a self-portrait, a person can only bear a likeness to his or her creations. Similarly, all of God’s creation may show His splendor - up to a point. However, the Son bears the essence of His Father. When Jesus was asked, "Show us the Father," He said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."

Like our friend, looking at a beam on a back wall may be momentarily thrilling, but turning to see the picture brings an entirely different level of experience and joy.

_________________________

Copyright © 2002 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. "A Slice of Infinity" is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

*

His name is Wonderful,

His name is Wonderful,

His name is Wonderful,

Jesus my Lord;

He is the mighty King,

Master of ev’rything,

His name is Wonderful,

Jesus my Lord.

He’s the great Shepherd,

The Rock of all ages,

Almighty God is He;

Bow down before Him,

Love and adore Him,

His name is Wonderful,

Jesus my Lord.

*

1. Praise to the Lord,

the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him,

for He is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear,

Now to His temple draw near;

Join me in glad adoration!

2. Praise to the Lord,

who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under His wings,

yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen

How thy desires e’er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord,

who with marvelous wisdom hath made thee,

Decked thee with health,

and with loving hand guided and stayed thee!

How oft in grief

Hath not he brought thee relief,

Spreading His wings for to shade thee!

4. Praise to the Lord,

who doth propser thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy

here daily attend thee.

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriend thee.

5. Praise to the Lord!

O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath,

come now with praises before him!

Let the Amen

Sound from His people again:

Gladly for aye we adore Him!

[Tune “Lobe Den Herren”]

Chorus

Sometimes “Alleluia”,

Sometimes “Praise the Lord!”

Sometimes gently singing,

Our hearts in one accord…

1. O let us lift our voices,

Look t’ward the sky and start to sing;

O let us now return His love,

Just let our voices ring!

2. O let us know His presence,

Let sounds of praises fill the air;

O let us sing of Jesus’ love,

To people ev’rywhere!

*

1. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O earth – His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory,

Strength and honour give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children –

In His arms He carries them all day long:

Chorus

Praise Him! Praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness!

Praise Him! Praise Him! ever in joyful song!

2. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered and bled and died;

He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Sound His praises – Jesus who bore our sorrows –

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong:

3. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Saviour, reigneth for ever and ever,

Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!

Christ is coming, over the world victorious –

Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong:

I will enter His gates

with thanksgiving in my heart,

I will enter His courts

with praise.

I will say, “This is the day

that the Lord has made,

I will rejoice for

He has made me glad.”

He has made me glad,

He has made me glad;

I will rejoice for

He has made me glad.

He has made me glad,

He has made me glad;

I will rejoice for

He has made me glad.

*

Learn to express the pure joy of knowing God. [summary is at HolwickID #4592]

_____________________

Standing near the top row of the large auditorium, I felt the pulsating excitement of the youthful crowd below. As the popular Christian band began playing its best-known song, the crowd erupted with shouting, whistling, clapping, and jumping to the beat. No one, at least among the younger crowd, seemed inhibited in expressing praise and delight in the band. As I continued to watch, I could not help but wonder why my praise of God often lacks that intensity and excitement.

Praising God blesses us by focusing our eyes on His greatness. It transforms our perspective on life’s difficulties.

Throughout Scripture, we are commanded to praise God. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Ps. 150:6). "Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!’" (Ps. 66:2-3). Yet sometimes we find it easier to raise and clap our hands excitedly before a popular band than before the very Author of music and Creator of life.

We readily praise that which we esteem and enjoy -- such as an entertaining musician. Likewise, when we experience His goodness and faithfulness, praise flows naturally from us. At other times, however, our praise may feel passionless or contrived. Is praise motivated, then, primarily by emotions that overcome us when we’re excited about what God is doing in our lives? How can we cultivate a life of praise in the everyday ups and downs? Let’s begin to answer those questions by considering why we praise God and how praise affects our relationship with Him.

REASONS FOR PRAISE

GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE. We praise God because He is the Most High God who "stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth" (Is. 51:13). He is worthy and deserving of our praise! We praise Him because His is the "greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor," and He is exalted as "head over all" (1 Chron. 29:11). If legions of angels night and day sing praises to God, and the sun and moon are called to praise Him (Ps. 148:3), is He not worthy of our continual praise?

During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the disciples began praising God joyfully and loudly for all the miracles they had seen. When the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the disciples for such a display of praise, Jesus responded, "I tell you ... if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Lk. 19:40).

PRAISE DEEPENS INTIMACY WITH GOD. Praise not only draws us closer to God, but through our praise, He is drawn closer to us. He "inhabit[s] the praises" of His people (Ps. 22:3, KJV). As we praise, we open ourselves wider to the Lord’s presence. When King Solomon dedicated the temple, the priests gathered together and lifted their voices, accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and lyres. As they prepared to offer sacrifices to the Lord, they began praising with abandon, singing and shouting, "He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting" (2 Chron. 5:13, NASB). A cloud of glory so filled the temple that the priests could not even stand to minister (v. 14).

The Lord delights in our praise! We are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16), and as we worship Him, He takes delight and fills us with His glory.

PRAISING GOD BLESSES US. God desires us to follow His commands not only to bring Him glory, but to bring us blessings. Moses exhorted the Israelites to "walk in his ways, and to keep his commands ... and the Lord your God will bless you" (Dt. 30:16).

Praising God fills us with a depth of joy and satisfaction no earthly pleasure can bring. David wrote:

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. - Ps. 63:2-5

Praising God blesses us by focusing our eyes on His greatness. It transforms our perspective on life’s difficulties. The size of our seemingly monstrous problems diminishes in the light of His power.

When I served as a teacher in Asia, I struggled to adjust to the culture, people, language, and the lack of fellowship with other believers. Terrible headaches began plaguing me. Even after much prayer, the pain persisted. One morning the lyrics of a praise song on a tape reminded me of the importance of praise. As I began actively praising God for His power and faithfulness, the spiritual oppression I had felt lifted, my anxiety quieted, and my headache subsided. I experienced the power that comes from exalting God as Most High, rather than dwelling on my problems.

PRAISE IS A WEAPON IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Praise is a powerful weapon to break down walls, open closed doors, and win battles as we fight to extend God’s kingdom into places and hearts that the enemy holds in bondage.

King Jehoshaphat set his heart on following God’s ways and destroying idolatry in Judah. But the threat of war from three hostile nations gripped him with fear. As he contemplated the powerful advancing enemy and his own meager army, he gathered his people together to seek the Lord’s help. With the enemy drawing ever closer, Jehoshaphat prayed:

O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. -- 2 Chron. 20:6

Jehoshaphat also recounted God’s faithfulness in past battles, claimed His promises, and humbly acknowledged total dependence upon God. He concluded: "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (v. 12).

King Jehoshaphat further demonstrated his confidence in the power of praise by appointing those who praised and sang to the Lord to go before the army (v. 21), ahead of Judah’s greatest warriors. The result? Look at verse 22."As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."

The enemies began killing each other until all were dead, leaving the people of Judah with more valuable spoil than they could carry! That’s my kind of battle!

In the New Testament, we continue to see praise bring down strongholds. After being stripped, beaten with rods, and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns of praise to God (Acts 16:25). In response to their supplication and praise, God sent an earthquake that burst open the prison doors. Not only were Paul and Silas physically released, but the jailer and his entire household were spiritually released and baptized in the Lord Jesus (vv. 26-33).

PRAISE AND DISAPPOINTMENT

What do we do when our hearts are not brimming with praise? Do we wait until we experience good feelings about God? Do we wait until we see answers to prayers? I find that especially in disappointment, I must choose to praise God even when I do not feel like it. Habakkuk wrote, "Though the fig tree does not bud ... and the fields produce no food ..., yet I will rejoice in the Lord" (Hab. 3:17-18). Circumstances did not produce wonderful feelings in him, yet he praised God anyway.

PRAISE IS A POWERFUL WEAPON TO BREAK DOWN WALLS, OPEN CLOSED DOORS, AND WIN BATTLES AS WE FIGHT TO EXTEND GOD’S KINGDOM.

Since serving in Asia eight years ago, I have dreamt and prayed about leading student mission teams there. When the opportunity finally arose, unexpected health problems prevented me from going. After declining several more opportunities over five years, I finally felt that I was physically strong enough to go. With great excitement, I prayed and planned for eight months. I saw God answer many prayers for strength, financial support, visas, and tickets. Ten days before departing, another debilitating sickness forced me to cancel my trip. I ached with disappointment at this broken dream. Yet I recalled the words of the psalmist:

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. -- Ps. 42:11

Even when God says no to a prayer request, we are still called to praise Him. After David fasted and prayed for seven days for the healing of his sick child, the child died. David "got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped" (2 Sam. 12:20). Job responded to his devastating losses by saying, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21). Though my feelings were far from praise and my questions remained unanswered, I chose to praise Him and experienced deep assurance of His sovereignty and goodness. God deeply identifies with our pain and does not deny it or ask us to do so; still we are called to praise Him even in devastating disappointment.

WAYS TO PRACTICE PRAISE

David wrote, "Seven times a day I praise you" (Ps. 119:164). How can we incorporate praise more regularly into our lives? SING."How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!" (Ps. 147:1). Don’t wait until Sunday morning to exercise your vocal cords. Listen to worship tapes to help you sing and praise, even when you’re not "in the mood." During your personal devotions, try singing a spontaneous song of praise from your heart to God."Sing to the Lord a new song" (Ps. 149:1).

MEDITATE. Because praise is based upon God’s character, we always have something to praise Him about: His steadfast love, His faithfulness, His grace, His goodness, or attributes such as His holiness, majesty, patience, and power. Let the wonder of His unchanging character sink deeply into your heart. Soon you will be overflowing with praise for Him. Meditate on a psalm, then try praying and singing it. St. Romuald said, "Take every opportunity to sing the psalms in your heart to God."

USE YOUR BODY. Worship involves our whole being: mind, spirit, and BODY. Turn on some praise music and use your body -- His temple -- to physically express praise for God. As you feel led, lift up your hands in exultation (even if you are not so inclined during a church service), kneel or lay prostrate, bow your head or lift it up, sing, and even dance: "Praise him with tambourine and dancing" (Ps. 150:4). If you feel foolish, remember, "it is fitting for the upright to praise him" (Ps. 33:1). Let the praise of God so fill you that you cannot remain sitting.

PRAISE WITH OTHERS. Take time in a group prayer meeting to begin your praying with praise, asking each person to name a particular character trait for which he or she honors God. Or end your prayer time with praise for God’s infinite power. Spend time with people who like to talk about God’s goodness and greatness.

CREATED FOR WORSHIP

We were created to worship God. In Ephesians 1:12, Paul says that we were created to live "for the praise of his glory." We praise Him out of obedience and love. We praise as a battle cry in our fight against the principalities. And we praise Him simply for the joy of being in His presence. Our praise not only glorifies God but transforms and blesses us.

C. S. Lewis writes in REFLECTIONS ON THE PSALMS:

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because praise does not merely express but completes the enjoyment. It is its appointed consummation. It is not simply to complement that lovers keep telling one another how beautiful they are. The delight itself is incomplete until it is expressed.

Praise flows out of a heart that delights in God, a heart that knows God, a heart that is familiar with His goodness and character. As we meditate upon God’s character, we cannot help but grow more deeply in love and adoration of our awesome God. Praise will more naturally "always be on [our] lips" (Ps. 34:1).

As you practice lifting your heart in praise to God in the everyday details of life -- even when problems mount, disappointments come, and prayers seem unanswered -- you may be surprised at what happens. Who knows, you might even find yourself buying a tambourine!

___________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

STACEY S. PADRICK is a freelance writer in San Francisco, California. She also works part time in real-estate investing. Stacey wrote this article because "the practice of praise is essential in our relationship with the Lord. It helps us to focus on the pure joy of knowing God for who He is rather than on what He can do for us. When we practice praise, we realize that simply being in His presence is enough."

ON YOUR OWN

PRAISE PRIMER

The Hebrew title for the book of Psalms is "book of praises." Let’s examine three psalms to see what we can learn about praising God. As you read Psalms 96, 148, and 150, fill in your answers to the following "investigative" questions.

1. WHO is exhorted to praise God?

2. WHAT is the value of praise?

3. WHERE are we to praise God?

4. WHEN should we praise God?

5. WHY is God so praiseworthy?

6. HOW can we praise God?

7. What is one way you can add more praise to your life in this next week?

*

1. I sing praises to Your name, O Lord,

praises to Your name, O Lord,

for Your name is great

and greatly to be praised.

I sing praises to Your name, O Lord,

praises to Your name, O Lord,

for Your name is great

and greatly to be praised.

2. I give glory to Your name, O Lord,

glory to Your name, O Lord,

for Your name is great

and greatly to be praised.

I give glory to Your name, O Lord,

glory to Your name, O Lord,

for Your name is great

and greatly to be praised.

*

Great is the Lord, He is holy and just,

by His power we trust in His love.

Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true,

by His mercy He proves He is love.

Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory,

Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise.

Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice,

now lift up your voice:

Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord!

Great is the Lord, He is holy and just,

by His power we trust in His love.

Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true,

by His mercy He proves He is love.

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of glory,

Great are You, Lord and worthy of praise.

Great are You, Lord, I lift up my voice,

I lift up my voice:

Great are You, Lord! Great are you, Lord!

*

All hail, King Jesus!

All hail, Emmanuel.

King of kings,

Lord of lords,

Bright Morning Star!

And throughout eternity

I’ll sing Your praises;

And I’ll reign with You

throughout eternity.

*

1. Rejoice – the Lord is King!

Your Lord and King adore!

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing

And triumph evermore:

Chorus

Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again, I say, rejoice!

2. Jesus the Saviour reigns,

The God of truth and love;

When He had purged our stains

He took His seat above:

3. His kingdom cannot fail –

He rules o’er earth and heav’n;

The keys of death and hell

Are to our Jesus giv’n:

4. Rejoice in glorious hope!

Our Lord the judge shall come

And take His servants up

To their eternal home:

[Tune – “Darwell’s 148th”]

*

I worship You, Almighty God,

there is none like You.

I worship You, O Prince of Peace,

that is what I want to do.

I give You praise,

for You are my righteousness;

I worship You, Almighty God,

there is none like You.

*

Holy Lord, Most Holy Lord,

You alone are worthy of my praise.

O Holy Lord, Most Holy Lord,

With all of my heart I sing:

Great are You, Lord,

Worthy of praise;

Holy and True,

Great are You, Lord,

Most Holy Lord.

*

1. When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer

To Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

2. Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

3. In heav’n’s eternal bliss

The loveliest strain is this:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The pow’rs of darkness fear

When this sweet chant they hear:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

4. Be this, while life is mine,

My canticle divine:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th’eternal song

Through all the ages long:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

[Tune: Laudes Domini]

*

Orel Herschiser pitched an unbelievable 1988 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Following a complete game shutout in August, he pitched multiple shutout innings and hurled five more complete games through the end of the regular season. He did not allow his opponents to score an earned run in 59 consecutive innings.

When the Dodgers faced the New York Mets in the National League play-offs, Orel continued to dominate hitters, leading the Dodgers to victory by pitching more than 24 innings, crowned by a complete game shutout in the final game! In the World Series his complete game victory over the Oakland A’s in game five clinched the series for the Dodgers. No wonder Orel was awarded the Cy Young award and two MVP awards, one for the National League play-offs and the other for the World Series.

During the play-offs the TV cameras zoomed in on this legend in the making. They caught Orel in the dugout between innings singing softly to himself. Unable to make out the tune, the announcers merely commented that Orel’s record certainly gave him something to sing about.

Johnny Carson replayed that tape on the “Tonight Show” a few days later when Orel appeared. Johnny asked him what song he had been singing during the game and if Orel would sing it again right then and there. The audience roared its approval over Orel’s embarrassed reluctance.

So on national TV, Orel softly sang the tune TV crews had barely caught on tape:

“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.”

Orel Herschiser was simply doing what Christians do — praising God for everything that he’d achieved. Paul urges the Colossians, “Whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (3:17). Not only at church, but also in the in-between moments, thank God for your gifts and talents — he gave them to you.

Unfortunately, the great hymns of the church are gradually being phased out. That’s a shame, because some of the best sermons I’ve ever heard have been found in a good hymnal. Some of the best encouragement I have ever found has been in a hymnal. Some of the most needed consolation I’ve ever discovered has been in a hymnal. A good hymnal has it all — praise & worship, theology (some good, some not so good), testimony, instruction for living and on and on. It is a valuable one volume spiritual library. To phase it out is risking the loss of a wonderful heritage.

Whatever your mode of singing, sing until your lungs feel sore. Singing is a means of expression designed by God so that we can praise Him. It provides joy, release, and a wonderful way to worship as a group. You can sing when you’re glad or sing when your sad, but in either a case, a spiritual song can give you a bond with God that is hard to achieve by other means.

For those who are glad: Psalm 92:4 (NLT), “You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

For those who are sad: Psalm.63:7, “I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.” Turn your sad into glad.

1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious — Thy great name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;

Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above

Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life Thou givest — to both great and small,

In all life Thou livest — the true life of all;

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

And wither and perish — but naught changeth Thee.

4. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All praise we would render — O help us to see

’Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee!

[Tune “St. Denio”]

*

Read Psalm 34:17-18

A little girl and her mother were walking down a sidewalk after a rainstorm. Someone had spilled some automobile oil on the pavement. Seeing that, the little girl said, “Mommy, look at all of the smashed rainbows!”

Maybe your rainbows have been smashed, and you have a broken heart. Perhaps you don’t feel close to God because of your heartache. What can you do to be near to Him? First, keep in mind that nearness is likeness. “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart” (v. 18). The more we are like God, the nearer we are to Him. How close can you get to God? You can get as close to Him as you want. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. Remember that God knows the meaning of a broken heart. Jesus Christ literally experienced one. He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). Let your experiences make you more like Jesus, and He will draw near to you.

Second, remember that God gives grace to the humble. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). David also said, “A broken and a contrite heart–these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).

Our Lord came “to heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18). Do you have a broken heart that needs healed? Here’s the simple secret: Give the Lord all the pieces, and He will heal you. Everyone has experienced dashed hopes and smashed plans. Take comfort in knowing that your Lord heals the broken heart. Are you getting over a crushing experience? The Lord understands what you are going through. Draw near to Him with a humble spirit and give Him the broken pieces of your heart.

Read Psalm 33:1-5

“Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy” (v. 3). Have you sung a new song to the Lord lately? Where do you find this new song, and how can you best express it? The psalmist is talking about worshiping the Lord. Worship should have a freshness to it. Sometimes in our worship we sing the old songs in the old way, and we lose some of our skill. David was a harpist. He said, “Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings [a psaltery]. Sing to Him a new song” (vv. 2,3).

We get a new song from several sources. First, we get a new song from God’s Word. “For the word of the Lord is right” (v. 4). When I read my Bible, I ask God to show me new things. Psalm 119:18 is a good prayer: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” He gives me new insights from His Word, and that gives me a new song.

Next, we get a new song from God’s works. “For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” (vv. 4,5). When we look around, we may see sadness, but the psalmist saw goodness. We may see unrighteousness and injustice, but the psalmist saw God’s righteousness and justice. Open your eyes and look around you. See the wonderful new things God is doing.

Finally, we get a new song from our walk with the Lord. When we go through new experiences and new challenges, God gives us new victories. Then we have a new song to sing. I want to have freshness in my worship. I want fervor and freshness in my witness for the Lord. I want Him to do something new in my life. I want to sing a new song. Do you?

God wants you to walk closely with Him so He may lead you into new experiences and challenges. If you’re singing an old song, it could mean that you need to renew your walk with the Lord. Feed on the Word of God and look at what He is doing in your life. Ask Him to give you a new song.