Loading Our Praise With Thanksgiving!
"It's time to sing and shout for joy!"
These are the first words of Psalm 34 TPT.
"Go ahead all you redeemed ones, do it! Praise him with all you have, for praise looks lovely on the lips of God's lovers."
I am hooked! My eyes can't devour the words fast enough.
"Sing and shout with passion; make a spectacular sound of joy -- "
Sing? With passion? Make a spectacular sound of joy? Yes! I am in! Let's do this thing!
"For God's Word is something to sing about! He is true to his promises; his Word can be trusted; and everything he does is so reliable and right."
This just keeps getting better and better!!! As I read on, the words flow like a beautiful river shining in the moonlight, soothing and serene yet powerful.
"The Lord loves seeing justice on the earth. Anywhere and everywhere you can find his faithful, unfailing love!
All he had to do was speak by his Spirit-Wind command and God created the heavenlies. Filled with galaxies and stars, the vast cosmos he wonderfully made.
His voice scooped out the seas. The ocean depths he poured into vast reservoirs.
Now, with breathtaking wonder, Let everyone worship Yahweh, this awe-inspiring Creator.
Words he breathed and worlds were birthed, 'Let there be' and there it was -- Springing forth the moment he spoke. No sooner said than done!
With his breath he scatters the schemes of nations who oppose him; they will never succeed.
His destiny-plan for the earth stands sure. His forever-plan remains in place and will never fail.
Blessed and prosperous is that nation who has God as their Lord! They will be the people he chooses for his own.
The Lord looks over us from where he rules in heaven. Gazing into every heart from his lofty dwelling place, he observes all the peoples of the earth. The Creator of our hearts considers and examines everything we do. Even if a king has the best equipped army, it would never be enough to save him. Even if the best warrior went to battle, he could not be saved simply by his strength alone.
Human strength and the weapons of man are such false hopes for victory; they may seem mighty but they will always disappoint.
The eyes of the Lord are upon even the weakest worshipers who love him -- those who wait in hope and expectation for the strong, steady love of God.
God will deliver them from death, even the certain death of famine, with no one to help.
The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in him with all our hearts. His wrap-around presence will strengthen us.
As we trust, we rejoice with an uncontained joy flowing from Yahweh!
So let your love and steadfast kindness overshadow us continually -- for we trust and we wait upon you!"
Oh yes, dear Lord, we do trust and we do wait upon You and You alone! To You who set the heavens in place and scooped out the seas with His voice we are singing and shouting your praises! We are bursting with joy over what you've done for us! We may be singing and shouting and bursting with joy by faith, but we are making our stand on Your Word, in You who is Truth. We are refusing to be anything but absolutely delighted in You. Because You, Lord, are worthy of ALL our praise, and ALL our praise we give to You RIGHT NOW! In such a time as this.