Constancy

I will praise the Lord at all times, I will constantly speak his praises, 
I will boast only in the Lord, let all who are helpless take heart. 
Come let us tell of the Lord’s greatness, let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:1-3)

​We all know that there are times - many times - when it is easy to praise the Lord. When life is full of blessing, when everything is going the way we want it to go, when He feels very near to us... then it is easy to praise!

But this psalm speaks of praising Him at all times. It is a psalm of David, and David had his share of turmoil and trouble throughout life. But he learned something of this secret - he was not a ‘fair weather’ follower of God. He declares that he will praise him at all times.

There are lessons to be learned in this. Have you ever felt that as you turned to seek God you have been aware of how crushed and troubled you feel, but you decided that you would still come into His presence with thanksgiving? And you begin to give thanks ... without ‘feeling’ a great deal ..... but you focus on every good thing that God has done for you and in you. And then the change begins to happen....... and you are not only speaking words of praise, but you are feeling that praise bubble up within you. It reminds me of a chorus:

Praise is the power of heaven
Praise is the power of heaven
Praise is the power that opens the door
To the King, to the King of kings.

Praise can lift you out of your troubled feelings and into His presence. The psalm says ‘let all who are helpless take heart’. It’s when we look away from ourselves and look at Him - His goodness, His greatness and His unfailing love - then our helpless spirits begin to soar into His presence and are made whole again. What a faithful God we have  - turn your eyes to Him!
​
Jennifer Jack