Continuing with our theme text, let’s take a look at the first two verse again—I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.

This opening verse demonstrates that praise is first an act of one’s WILL. It is not an impulse, rather it is a conscious decision, regardless of our feelings or circumstance; it is like responding to a divine command. As we do this, the second verse shows that the soul responds to this act of will, almost as though it is dragged into response. Praise stirs our emotions and that’s the order of things. That praise must be intentional is the principal lesson shown us here, and you know what? Such intentional praise rubs off on others. As we make our boast in the Lord, it draws the humble and the afflicted along into an atmosphere of gladness. Such praise becomes contagious, changing the atmosphere and transforming decorum (rigidity or starchiness) to delight and a realm of joy that’s never known before.

This is what we need and what we are called to do in Psalms 104:33, and Paul reminds us of the same in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Will you follow this path of recommended relief in such stressful times. Shalom.


Shalom.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele