Psalm 34

I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears."  (Psalms 34:1-4)

What a beautiful weekend we just enjoyed!  From a weather perspective at least we had good reason to feel blessed and relieved after a long period of isolation and limited re-"creation" outside.  But, as you enjoyed it, was the praise of the Lord always on your lips?  Was the praise of the Lord even on your mind as you soaked up the sunshine and warm weather?

"I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice."  When we do praise the Lord, we should be careful to do it in a way that causes those who are not feeling the same blessing to rejoice with us and not feel as though they are somehow missing out.

"Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."  Together, you and I can come alongside those who are afflicted for whatever reason or circumstance and help them to exalt the name of the Lord even in the midst of their trial.

And when we go back to help another rejoice, it reminds us that it was the Lord who delivered us from our fears, and pain and hardship and gave us reason to praise Him.  "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalms 34:18)

The purpose of praise is not to brush aside the pain and act as if it was never there, and not still there for others.  But to "Taste and see that the Lord is good" even in the midst of pain and to encourage those who are hurting to "take refuge in him." (Psalms 34:8)

Prayer and Action Steps:

1. Are you currently more inclined towards praise, or pain ... or both?
2. If you are currently able to praise God... who can you go back for?  Who does the Lord want you to invite to: "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together?"
3. Of course, depending on their situation, you may need to invest time, and care, and love and action in their situation as you lead them to glorifying the Lord.  Does that kind of investment cause you to hesitate?  Why?
4. What are you afraid of?  "Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing." (Psalms 34:9)
5. No matter what you may fear, seek the Lord for His next step into and through your praise and/or pain. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."