Singing Praises

Yesterday, we had a sermon about giving praise to God. Now normally that wouldn't hit me that hard. God calls us to give Him praise, as well as we deem Him worthy of our praise. Yet, the pastor was saying that giving praise to God is something that WE need. Come again? Huh? Why would we need it? This is where I became deeper involved...

The scripture was based on Acts 16:16-25. It's a story of Paul and Silas, and how they were greeted by a slave girl and scorned for their efforts in saving people to become believers of God. They were seized, brought to the Romans, attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison. Then after they were put in their cell, they began to sing hymns to God. Wow, now I can imagine praying for mercy, but singing praises to God? How hard would that be after all that torture. I don't think I would have it in me. Yet the pastor asked us, "how often do we go to music for comfort in times of trial?" We probably do it more then we think. Singing "Amazing Grace," "Jesus Loves Me," "Then Sings My Soul," "Thy Lamp," can all be very therapeutic. They are reminders to us of how great God's love is for us. They help us in dark times see that God is not forsaking us. So the next time you are feeling down, in marital stress, or experience a death, try singing a song of praise. We need it.