The reason why we sing

What does it mean to bless the Lord at all times? Many of us can praise and worship God when things are going OK and definitely when things are going the way we want them to go. However, God requires that we praise and worship Him at all times. Why? Because He is still God -regardless of what we're going through. Remember, time nor life stops when we're going through a storm. You may have just gone through a storm and be rejoicing because you made it through or possibly just experienced a good season in your life but now things aren't going so well. In either situation, God is still worthy to be praised.

Jesus did not promise that everyday will be good, but that He would never leave us or forsake us. He promised to leave behind 'the Comforter' to enable us to continue in all good works and rest in God's mercy and peace. Do not let your heart be troubled such that you believe the Lord has forsaken you. His timing is impeccable and above all He demands of us that we trust Him. Remember, Hebrews 11:6 which reads:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

How do we diligently seek the Lord? Through prayer, study, fasting, and meditation. God will bring your life to the point that these things become priorities to you all of a sudden. Before, fasting was too hard, now you find yourself fasting an entire day versus a "juice fast" for a half-day. Now, you are praying nearly all day long whereas before you said "Jesus wept" quickly before you ate lunch at work. Now, the bible isn't "too hard" to read. Instead, you are now going to bible class, Sunday School, or even bookstores seeking more insight on God's Word and in particular something that speaks to your situation.

My friends, God has now gotten our full and complete attention. Actually, He has helped us to help ourselves. You see, we have now began to diligently seek Him therefore, now He can reward us! Not only are you seeking him, surprisingly enough you have stopped sinning. You can't remember the last time you had un-marital sex with that man or woman. You can't remember the last time you got drunk. You can't remember the last time you cussed someone out or gossiped. My goodness! God has not only got your attention, but now you are really acting like you are His child. See what God had done for you?

Through the suffering and through the pain, He has transformed your life in a way that you were unable to do so without suffering. God alone has helped you to position yourself to be blessed by Him and experience His grace and mercy. He has used you despite your unwillingness to fully cooperate before and has shown you that you really can be righteous; that you can live a life that's pleasing in His sight.

However, during this time the devil will use our God-given emotions and abilities to reason, to state that God has abandoned us; that He no longer cares. As I've stated in the past, we often go through a similar process before we begin to realize that God does love us and that we have to trust Him.

Take this with you: God will not allow you to suffer a second longer than necessary. He does not take pleasure in your suffering.

Remember King David's words in I Chronicles 28:20 which reads:

20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

So why do we sing? We sing praises to God in our strange place or time of trouble because He alone is able to save us, restore unto us that which we lost, and make prosperous all that we do; all that we dream. These (and many more) are the reasons why we sing.