Finding Hope In difficult times through the Psalms

We have so much to praise God for, there's great power in giving honour and thanks to Him. The Bible is filled with examples of praise when we see His power released, life-changing miracles, dramatic stories of the enemy being halted or defeated, hearts being changed and drawn closer to Him.

This last year, across the world the sound of praise has almost been silenced as churches and gatherings were closed, the burning lamps of praise at the alters were put out, but helped to flicker through online services, and our individual devotions. But Is God now calling us to re-light lamps of bright burning praise and thanksgiving in our church and in our hearts together creating a stronger fragrance of praise rising to the heavens bringing the Lord Glory to His name.

Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise.  We may not feel like it.  We’re struggling, We're weary. Or maybe, we feel like He let us down. We think God seems distant, like he's far away, or doesn't really care about what's troubling us. Painful life blows and losses might have sent us spiralling.

Here’s what can make a lasting difference.  When we make that decision to fix our eyes on Him, and daily give Him praise, no matter what's staring us straight in the face, we suddenly realize that God has already begun to release the grip those struggles can have over us. There’s power in our acknowledgement that He is worthy, above all else, of our worship and praise.

The psalms are packed full of praise for who God is, what He has done and the call to praise, worship and honor the LORD with our whole heart is written in 100’s of ways. As we come to end our series of “Finding Hope In difficult times through the Psalms lets focus today as the last 5 Psalms do. They start and end with the word Hallelujah which means Praise the Lord.