Praising the Lord

Do you have a favourite psalm? Perhaps, like me, you have several favourites, because the Lord spoke a particular message to you through them.

Many of the psalms have been used in modern songs of praise and worship, and many years ago our pastor used to play his guitar and sing 'From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised. Praise ye the Lord. Praise Him all ye servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and forever more.' The international congregation, gathered there in the American Club, in Tokyo, Japan, would do the actions to the words and thoroughly enjoy this song.

There were many young Japanese Christians who had only recently come to faith, and they said the songs they sang on Sunday mornings gave them strength throughout the hard times during the week. They lived in parental homes where pagan worship went on, and felt oppressed by the presence of family altars to the ancestors. Their faith came under attack from family members, particularly after they had chosen to be water baptised.

One very special Sunday, we had attended the joyful service of worship in the morning, had all been to a restaurant to eat lunch together, and had then gone to a Japanese church building, with a baptismal tank, to hold a water baptism service. Along with a group of others, Paul and I had given our testimonies of how we'd come to faith and why we had chosen to be baptised in water. Then we had a party in that church with refreshments for all.

Pastor took his guitar and began singing. He suddenly stopped and said he'd just realised that the words of Psalm 113 had come true. We had truly been praising the name of the Lord together from the morning till the evening. Days like that are a taste of heaven on earth. The reality of praise and worship is that the very atmosphere around us is changed spiritually as we worship and proclaim the Lord's presence. Our pastor was a business man who worked in an office all day, but first thing in the morning he would take his guitar and sing praise and worship before beginning his day.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the psalms. Thank You for giving us gifted worship leaders who can show us how to come into Your presence. May I be able to praise Your name from the rising of the sun till the going down of the same. You are worthy to be praised and worshipped each and every day of my life. Help me to choose to do so, even when my feelings might not be inclined to. You don't require musical ability, but You are pleased when Your people offer You a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, singing, and making music in their hearts. Amen.