Praise!

For anyone that knows me (or has lived with me like the lovely Rachel or miss Farrell), they know I LOVE to sing. Whether belting out some Alicia in the shower or humming some Nora while cleaning my room, there is just something about singing for me that really gets across exactly what I'm feeling - be it complete joy, contentment, frustration, or sadness. I just love it!

One thing I've been thinking a lot about lately is how God is worthy of and calls us to constantly praise Him. It all got started because I really love the idea of singing to the Lord. One of my secret hopes is actually that in heaven the Lord will have me singing (and dancing) praises to Him forever (perhaps a la praise dance?). Anyways, in trying to live out my new found determination to praise the Lord more, I started thinking little things like "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory" throughout the day. I never realized how little time I spent praising the Lord for all he is, and making a conscious effort to do so really helped me see all of the wonderful things the Lord has done and is doing! I want to leave you with Psalm 33, which I feel describes this sentiment perfectly. Sometimes, there's really nothing to do but to sit back and give God the praise he deserves!

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the 10-stringed lyre.

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all of the earth fear the Lord; let all of the people of the world revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth -

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army, no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33