A Song of Cheerful Hope

 

Psalm 33 verses 20 to 22 (NRSV)…

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. Our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Let us pray…

Lord, as I place my hope in you, let your steadfast love touch each and every area of my life this morning. I thank you for the dawn of a brand new day which brings with it new mercies, blessings, strength, and bright hope and let me feel your dear presence as I open my heart and soul to receive. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Today, I’d like us all to go forward into the day with a song of cheerful hope in our very souls. 

But, how do we do that? How do you maintain a song of cheerful hope, when all you are seeing ahead of you is a challenge, another day full of uncertainty, frustration, not only at work but at home too, only trials after trials, and you just know that, yet another storm of confusion and pure bacchanal is brewing.

You are at your wits end, asking God, “What is this storm? I am your child, standing on the solid Rock but I am feeling like if I’m on sinking sand.” No answer, only silence. Where is Jesus?

With every hardship, every trial, every storm, that you go through, rest assured that He is way ahead of you and your situation, waiting on the other side.

Beloved, even in the midst of chaos, Jesus is there. Yes, He is. Do not focus on the storm, do not focus on all the raindrops, but only focus on Him.

And how do you do that? Believe it or not, through praise and worship. 

Praising Him in the chaos, in the confusion, in the storm….it may be one of those raging storms, but we cannot afford to lose our focus. Sing, even if you cannot sing, still sing, sing to God, sing songs about Him, glorifying His Holy Name.

Remember how He brought you through that last thunderstorm? The one where you could see no blue sky? Remember that one? When suddenly the sun appeared?

Remember the time when you fell flat and thought you had hit rock bottom and would never be able to get up? And look, you did, and you are still standing.

Remember His marvellous works in your life, how He has been so faithful to you…and sing of His goodness…

Yes, that’s how you do it. That is how you go forward into the day with a song of cheerful hope.

Even if you’re not feeling His touch at the moment, know that He is gently holding you in His hands through it all… praise Him, worship Him, and be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Surrender now, give Him everything and keep reminding yourself that answering prayer is God’s job, He is never late, He is always on time. Remain cheerful, remain hopeful and sing that song!

Let us pray…

Heavenly Father, help me to see the beauty of the storm. Enable me to look beyond the raindrops and to know, beyond a doubt, that You are there waiting for me as soon as the rain stops.

Instill deep within me, that hope that caused Job to say, Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.

May I remember to focus on You throughout today and always, with shouts of joy and praise, even when I am mired in chaos. Today, I declare that I will put my hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Shelley Johnson "A Song of Cheerful Hope" © July 24, 2024