"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
-Psalm 18: 1-3

Shout To The Lord

"Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." (Psalm 49: 13) When was the last time that you have felt a desire to 'shout to the Lord?' To raise your voice in praise to Him? "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God and I will exalt him." (Exodus 15: 2) Life isn't always easy. Sometimes the trials, tribulations, and tragedies that are a part of life can 'suck the joy from our hearts' and lessen our desire to 'shout to the Lord' in praise. But Romans 8: 28, read it below, reminds us that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him.' Even those things that we cannot understand. Those things that we wonder 'why did it happen?' Perhaps you are going through such a time? But remember, God loves you! See Psalm 18: 1-3 above. The Lord is our 'strength,' He is our 'rock,' our 'fortress,' our 'deliverer,' our 'refuge,' our 'shield,' our salvation,' our stronghold!' I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18: 3) Who else are you going to turn to?

Perhaps you are struggling with sin. I know what that is like. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3: 22-23) Our Lord is a Lord of compassion, He understands us, knows us, loves us. We should live lives that strive to be the best we can be for Him but if we stumble or fall, we are not cast away as worthless. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-..." (Ephesians 2: 8) Where else are you going to find grace? Forgiveness? A grace that was purchased for us by the death of God's only Son, Jesus. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13) Where are you going to find greater love?

It is true that life has its ups and downs, its highs and lows, but through it all may we be a people who place our hopes, faith, trust, and salvation in the Lord. And as the lyrics of the great praise song, 'Shout To The Lord,' say, may we take time in our lives to...."Shout to the Lord, All the earth, Let us sing; Power and majesty, Praise to the King; Mountains bow down, And the seas will roar, At the sound, Of Your Name!" Amen!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8: 28

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