When Praise Gets the Last Word
Well now, howdy-do! What a treat to have you strollin’ over this way today. So, come right on up here to this ol’ front porch, friend, and ease yourself down like a tired ol’ rooster finally findin’ the right ol’ fence post at sundown. Some days the heart gits about as droopy as an ol’ hound dog’s ears in a rainstorm, and the soul sits there mopin’ like an ol’ squirrel that went and buried its acorn and plum forgot which stump got the blessin’. Life can leave us mighty disappointed, hurt, and plain ol’ wore out. But Psalm 43:5 leans right over the porch rail of our hearts and asks, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him.”
That’s a mighty needed word because disappointment can make a person pout in the spirit like an ol’ mule that don’t want to cross the creek. The psalmist felt forgotten, pressed down, and troubled, yet he didn’t park there. He told his soul where to look. He plum chose hope. He sho’-nuff’ chose praise. He downright chose God.
That’s why Hebrews 13:15 fits right here so good, saying, “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.” Sometimes praise comes real easy, like hearing the birdsongs in spring. Other times it’s a big ol’ sacrifice, brought through tears, questions, and heavy sighs. But praise lifts our eyes above the mud puddles of circumstance and plum reminds us that God is still real good, still reignin’, and still mighty worthy.
When we praise Him in the middle of disappointment, we ain’t pretendin’ life is painless. We’re plum declarin’ that sorrow don’t get the last word. God sho’-nuff’ does.
Father, when my heart feels heavy and my soul grows weary, teach me to hope in You. Help me praise You even when I don’t understand my circumstances. Lift my eyes above disappointment and steady my heart in Your goodness, love, and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alright then, bless your heart, friend. Now you can gather up your thoughts and head right on back into the day like a lil’ ol’ bluebird that plum found mornin’ before the fog burned off. Don’t you be lettin’ discouragement git to roostin’ on your shoulder like an ol’ crow hangin’ out in the cornfield. Let praise rise in you even if it starts out feelin’ about as shaky as a lil’ newborn calf’s knees. Because when a soul keeps hopin’ in God, it’ll sho’-nuff’ find that even a tearful song can still sound mighty sweet under Heaven’s care.
With joy,
Gwen
