“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13).

When the Bible refers to the name of the Lord, the idea of “name” reveals everything about the Lord. It denotes His attributes, Word, revelation, promises, and purpose. The Psalmist proclaimed that the name of the Lord is worthy of praise and worship. He alone is God. He alone is excellent. He alone is glorious. This is easy to do when all is well and going the way we desire. But as I shared yesterday, the song of praise is never quite as sweet nor is it quite as powerful as when it is sung on the worst of days when life is hard, really hard.

It makes me think of the situation that took place several years ago in Tennessee with the powerful and devastating tornadoes. USA Today recently ran an article entitled “Worship in the Rubble: Tennessee tornado ruined churches, but Sunday service went on!” The article went on to report, “Worship also looked a bit different on the first Sunday after seven tornadoes touched down in Tennessee. Congregations whose churches were in the path of the twisters gathered outside in the crisp, morning air against a backdrop of their wrecked buildings while others assembled inside borrowed spaces so they could still pray and sing.”

You might ask, “How can this be?” The answer really is profound. Our awesome God is worthy of praise and worship on the best of days as well as the worst. Let me encourage you, friend. Be honest about your situation, but keep looking up and praising the Lord for Who He is!