Praise the Lord – How do you Praise?
Praise the Lord, says Carol Harrison! There are many ways we can do this. We can use our voices or, if we have a God given talent to play a musical instrument, we can use it to praise the Lord.
How do you Praise the Lord?
Is music one of the puzzle pieces of your life? If so, how? Do you love to sing praises or even sing along with your favourite song? Do you play a musical instrument or still want to learn how to play? Maybe you are talented and sing with a group, on a worship team at church or have your own CD out. Possibly you play more than one instrument and play them well.
I enjoy music and have for as long as I can remember. Yet it is not one of my gifted areas. Oh I can sing well enough and have even had the pleasure of being on a worship team in a small church. I dabble at playing the piano for my own enjoyment – well I used to but now I have no room for one in our apartment.
hopestreamradio · Praise the Lord
Listening to accomplished musicians has been a joy for me for more years than I care to admit to. In the church I attended as I was growing up we had two brothers that played on Sunday mornings. They went on to be concert pianists. What an amazing time of worship as I listened to their skills at the keyboard. Another family, my mom’s cousins actually, played superbly. Many Sundays they accompanied the worship time on the piano and organ. I could listen to them for hours. One of my aunts could make a piano sing in ways I only wished I could. When I was little I wanted to grow up to be just like her. God had other plans for me.
How to Praise the Lord on a Variety of Instruments
Now I have grandchildren who can play a variety of musical instruments. Some have been part of school band. My one grandson is a percussionist and a good one who uses this God given talent on worship teams. His youngest sister seems to be able to learn any instrument she picks up. She loves to buy a new instrument to add to her collection. She would love to know that May 22 is buy a musical instrument day. However, she would never want to wait until just a single day of the year to indulge her enjoyment. She hopes to be a music teacher someday. Maybe she will
A friend of mine always wanted to learn to play guitar so she started taking lessons as a mature adult. Why not? It is never too late to learn. What do you play? What musical instrument do you wish you played? Maybe today is a day to think about starting to pursue that dream.
Praise God with Instruments and Voices
As I thought about musical instruments and music, I am reminded of scripture telling us to praise God with our voices and our abilities to play instruments. When I read the Psalms, I see the words Praise the Lord many times.
Psalm 150, the last Psalm seems to sum up this need to praise the Lord, and I hope also a desire to do it from a heart full of love for God.
“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise him with the harp and lyre. Praise him with tambourine and dancing praise him with the strings and flute; praise him with the clash of cymbals praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
As I think about how music fits into the puzzle pieces of my life, I know without a doubt that as a follower of Jesus, I can praise God for who he is even when life is tough. I can and should praise God everywhere I am and not just in church. Praising God can involve my voice, the twang of a guitar the beat of the drums and other percussion or the resonating sound of the trumpet and other brass.
Musicians at Church
At our church we are fortunate to have people who play guitar, violin, bass, drums, piano and organ. There is even a ukulele on some Sunday mornings. At times I want to simply listen as the voices blend in harmony and raise praises to God. I think of the words of the old familiar hymns and the newer gospel songs and choruses. They speak deep into my heart and the melody helps me remember the words and lessons they hold.
I must admit I come from a background where it is not easy for me to sway, dance or even raise my arms but oh how I long to let go of the old ways and praise God with all that I am because of his great love for me and his grace.
So today, on a day some people think we should celebrate and buy a musical instrument, I think we should use those instruments and our voices to praise God for this is truly a great puzzle piece in our life. Let’s just praise the Lord.
Can you share a story of how you praise God? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies.
She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope. She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
Visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
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Images Credits
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Piano/Keyboard – 7144605
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