Pastor's Ponderings, May 15, 2017

Hallelujah Anyhow!

I have had a cascading series of challenges that tried to hamper my praise.  Yesterday was Mother’s Day, May 14, 2017, and for many of us, it can be a bittersweet time. My mother passed in 2001, and although the day is celebratory there is always some sadness when I reflect on how much I still miss her.  To make matters worse, my wife, who has been an outstanding mother to our daughters and countless spiritual children, is in the hospital. While rushing from the hospital, to our home and then to church, I damaged my garage door. Even though I am the pastor, yesterday I felt out of sync trying to worship God in the service.   Have you ever had those moments when you simply did not feel like praising or worshipping God?

The Bible says we should praise God even though we do not feel like it because our hope is in Him (Psalm 42:5).  Even though my soul feels like everything is upside down, I truly know that God is for me (Psalm 56:9) and He is working on my behalf (Psalm 138:8).  I have the awesome privilege of continually offering Him a sacrifice of my praise (Hebrews 13:15). 

Reverend Clay Evans sings, “Hallelujah, anyhow. Don't let your troubles get you down. If Satan blocks your way, stand right up and say, Hallelujah, anyhow.”  I have decided that I am going to praise Him when I feel like it and when I don’t.  I am going to worship Him when it is convenient and when it is not.  The Bible says if we are breathing, we ought to praise Him (Psalm 150:6) and He inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). Let us not make any excuses; let us praise the Lord. Hallelujah, anyhow!

Psalm 42:5
New International Version (NIV)

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 56:9
New International Version (NIV)

9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

Hebrews 13:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Psalm 138:8
King James Version (KJV)

8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psalm 150:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 22:3
King James Version (KJV)

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel