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Reasons to Rejoice

For centuries, people have treasured the Biblical book of Psalms. It has been both a prayer guide and a songbook for God’s people. In it, we read about a God who is always “shepherding” us and will never let us down. The Psalms also helps us express a wide range of emotions including things like sadness, grief, impatience and even anger. From that, we learn that God is willing to listen regardless of what we have to say.
One of the best reasons to read the Psalms, though, is to hear words of praise. Many of the Psalms focus on the joy of knowing the Lord and the blessing of his salvation. The following is a portion of one such Psalm.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare... I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly… I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
“I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly…May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, ‘The Lord be exalted!’
“Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40 selected verses).

The Psalms proclaim God’s power, his strength, his care, his graciousness, his righteousness and his love. They rejoice in the beauty of creation and the blessings that we are given each day. The Psalms remind us that we can look to our troubles and despair or we can look to God and hope.
The Psalms are full of reasons to rejoice.
Are we?

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