“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls---Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
I Will Rejoice In The Lord!
By Charlie Grier
Long ago God’s man, Habakkuk,
Sat down depressed and sad---
The land was faced with famine;
Things were really looking bad!
But his treasure was not earthy,
The prophet still could sing
And praise God for an inward joy,
Like robins in the spring!
Oh! I will rejoice in the Lord,
My Rock, my Defense, and my Deliverer!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I will sing,
And joy in the God of my salvation!
When the rainbow loses color
And the sun no longer shines----
When the flowers cease to blossom
In this little world of mine----
When God seems oh so distant!
And all Hell seems near and real!
Can I find grace to praise my God,
Despite how low I feel?
Yes! I will rejoice in the Lord!
My ROCK, my DEFENSE, and my DELIVERER!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I will sing
And joy in the God of my salvation!
Continual Praise!
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1 NKJB).
Psalm 34 was a Psalm of David, as were most of the other Psalms. The question arises, “How is it that an obscure shepherd boy should be enabled to write such lovely songs?” The book of Psalms became Israel’s inspired Hymn Book, and has continued to fill an important place during the entire 2000 years of church history.
What was David’s secret? David was confronted with one serious problem after another throughout his entire career and he turned those problems into glorious victories through the power of praise! He didn’t wait till his prayers were answered to rejoice in the Lord. He praised God for victory while still confronted with calamity! That is why he was known as, “A man after God’s own heart,” and that is why he advanced from “shepherd boy” to “Israel’s most beloved King.”
Can You Praise God When Things Are At Their Worst?
It is normal to think we have problems no body else have. We are inclined to think the whole world is against us, and some are convinced that God doesn’t love them. Some call for prayer in the midst of their problems, but very few are able to exercise genuine faith. Jesus said: “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24 NKJB).
When God answers a given prayer, we are inclined to blink and say, “Isn’t it remarkable the way things worked out? I was really lucky that time! All the circumstances just seemed to work out in my favor!”
Occasionally some will gratefully acknowledge that prayer was answered, but only after the thing prayed for has become a reality. Few indeed have faith to believe in advance. Jesus said, believe before you pray. Expect God to perform a miracle and praise Him for answered prayer as part of your petition.
“Praise Ye The Lord!”
This is the final statement in the entire book of Psalms. This 150th Psalm contains only six verses, but in those six verses we are exhorted thirteen times to praise the lord! Then we are taken one step further with the demand, “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.”
Can you visualize the effect it would have on our nation, and in fact on the entire world, if every body in America would start praising God! Every day of the year?
Glorifying God
“Praise and thanksgiving are part of worship. God desires that we know Him and love Him -- and because of that love -- praise and glorify Him. Praise and thanksgiving are not only actions but attitudes. God wants us to be thankful in all things.” - Billy Graham Training Center Bible page 510.
We can praise God that Thanksgiving Day is still being observed in our beloved nation. Many nations presently ignore anything related to Christ and the Bible. In America Thanksgiving Day is still a legal holiday. In this year of 2005 let us worship our God “in spirit and in truth” John 4:24).
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me, And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Example Set By The Early Church
“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those that were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47 NKJB)
Paul And Silas Sang While In Jail
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 NKJB).