One day, I really needed comfort from God. So, I went into my devotional time with the hope that God would meet my need by focusing me on some hope-filled verses.
I must admit that I was slightly disappointed when the passage before me was all about praising God.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I really enjoyed the verses and ended up praising God through them. But what happened next was quite surprising. My praise turned into comfort. Because, as I sat there rejoicing in who God is, and how much He loves me, I started to rest in Him and His ways. And before I knew it, the circumstances that were weighing me down just faded into the background.
Praising God for His attributes and His work in my life helped me to know that I would be well cared for.
This month, I want to encourage you to praise God in the midst of any trials you are going through. And I offer you Psalm 100 from the ESV, as a good place to start.
So, here is how it works. Ready?
First, read the Psalm;
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Next, meditate on what the Psalm says about God – that He made you; that you are His; that He is your loving Shepherd, that He is good, and that He is faithful to keep His promises.
Now, praise Him for each of these things. And then, maybe put on one of your favorite worship songs, and sing to Him!
Lastly, tell Him that you trust Him to care for you, and that as the great and good Shepherd who loves you and watches over you, you will rest in Him – the One who “makes us lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23).
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob