Rhythm. Some have it, some need to find it! Just kidding! Honestly, I believe that there are those who see the world through music, and I think that is beautiful. They can speak, walk, and dream in a melodious montage that is an encouraging force to all who encounter them. Cue the rest of us, and we take the scene and instantly bring the enthusiasm down a few notches, as “reality” sets in like a wet blanket over the Lego Movie intro of “Everything is Awesome”. This, I thought, was what the truth of what “rejoice in the Lord always”, must look like from heaven. Even when at my best, the tune still is unsteady, rattled by whatever situation is weighing heavy on me.
So how then, do I “Bless the Lord at all times”, as Psalm 34 says? Well, I think it may have something to do with bells. See, today, our church’s kids and youth students gathered for the first time to work on rehearsing a song for our bell choir performance. It was, well, not the worst. Our choir director was ever encouraging, and we made it through the practice complete with high-fives at the end, but the students (and me too, yes, I had a bell!) were at varying levels of comfort with their parts. I’m sure it was evident to her, and anyone else listening, that we were not quite at the peak performance level yet.
But friends, here is the reality of the illustration. We are not meant to be at performance perfection. When Christ’s Kingdom is established, and we are praising our Lord with the angels and other heavenly beings, that is when the real music begins! Right now, the purpose of our “joyful noise” can be found further into the Psalm. In verse 4, David says that he, “sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears”. David’s praise of hope and redemption comes after his trial and difficulties. Verse 8 talks about taking “refuge” in the Lord. Last I checked, I need refuge when I am going through a storm. Which means that we are not to pretend it is not raining when it is (it’s a metaphor, y’all), but instead to see the storm and take out our umbrella!
Psalm 34:17-18
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:1-3
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together.”
How does this apply? Well, for starters, I went backwards with my verse reference because it matters to the person going “through” something to know that there is the “other side” that they will come out of. Not only is it important that they come out, but that the Lord is near them while they are still in it! The praise of the Lord is on the lips of the choir, some being crushed in spirit, and some who are recovering. And the bells ringing out of each person, or “song on their lips” may sound different, but it doesn’t make it any less of a praise.
We aren’t called to ring out our praises, or our bells, for the sake of the song. It is for the sake of one another! To remind one another that the Lord is good (vs 8). That we lack nothing in the Lord (vs 9). That the Lord sees me and hears my distress (vs 15). God already knows that he is good, the ultimate provider, and a perfect father to his children. We don’t sing praises because it is news to Him, but to be a witness for the sake of one another! So, from now on, when we play our bells, I can rejoice in the joyful noise, for the sake of me, you, and the hope that I have in Him!
Prayers and Petition 