Daily Hope – Growing in the Seasons of
life - Monday, 2 December 2013 – “Sing Your Thanks” by Rick Warren
"Sing out your thanks to him; sing
praises to our God." (Psalm 147:7a TLB)
Last week Americans celebrated one of the
most important holidays of our year, Thanksgiving. Yet the irony is that, in
most homes, very little thanksgiving actually took place. We're usually very
busy doing everything else on Thanksgiving. We prepare our homes, cook, eat,
entertain, talk with friends, watch football, and read the sale catalogs for
the next day.
We do everything but thank God for all he
has given us. Usually, the only thanksgiving we do is a one-minute prayer
offered by one person before the big meal.
But learning to thank God for what he has
given us is an important part of our spiritual journey. So how do you make
gratitude to God an important part of your life?
One of the most important ways to do so
is by singing. The Bible says, "Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises
to our God" (Psalm 147:7a TLB). Nothing makes you aware of God's presence
more quickly than singing your praise to God. It doesn’t matter how much
musical talent you have, either. The Bible urges us to make a joyful noise.
Even pigs do that as they eat! If pigs can make a joyful noise, so can you!
There are more songs about Jesus Christ
than anything or anyone else, even love. Christianity is a singing faith!
That’s why you need to be a part of a local church. It’s not just about
listening to a weekly message from the Bible. At least once a week, you need
the emotional expression that comes from singing thanks to God. If you don't,
your heart will shrivel. You can’t be a healthy Christian on sermons alone. You
need both the impression from the message and the expression through the music.
I have discovered that the times when I
least feel like singing are when I need to do it the most. When my heart is
cold, I need to be renewed, restored, and recharged through singing thanks to
God. In my hectic schedule, as I drive from one emotionally draining experience
to another, I find listening to music and singing praise to God in my car
renews my soul.
So turn on your favorite worship songs or
find a good Christian radio station and sing along. Thank God for all he has
given you, and make a joyful noise to the Lord while you’re at it.
Talk It Over
What are some of your favorite praise
songs? Why?
What keeps you from singing during
private and corporate worship times?
Share about a time when singing praise to
God helped lift your mood.
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