“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9).

It was a great day in the land of Israel. The ark of the Lord had been restored, and in great celebration the people gathered to give thanks to the Lord and sing to Him. When you have time, you can read more fully the great celebration and worship that took place that day by reading the rest of the chapter. Oh, how the Lord answered the prayers of the children of Israel and how they gloriously celebrated that day. Let me share with you about another day. This took place in a Sunday morning worship service (all the names are changed).

Three people stood out in the mind of Pastor Kenward on that Sunday. The congregation was singing “How Great Thou Art,” and it could not have been any more powerful or moving than it was that day. About halfway back on the outer bank of pews, Mary stood singing with her family. The Lord had recently answered her prayers with a significant “no” as she didn’t get the job opportunity she so much desired. And yet Mary was signing praises to the Lord.

Right up front in the center section of pews stood Steve. He was close enough to the platform that Pastor Kenward saw Steve crying as he was singing. That week the Lord had given Steve a great big answer “yes” to his prayers. What looked like cancer turned out to be benign, and Steve was singing praises to the Lord.

Then the pastor’s eyes drifted to his newest counseling person who was attending for the first time. Anna Maria didn’t know how her prayers were going to be answered. She was in a waiting situation, and yet she was really moved with the words of this powerful hymn. The lesson for each of us is, regardless of how the Lord has answered our prayers, we need to be praising Him, singing to Him, and giving thanks to Him.

I just can’t help but wonder: How will this play out in your life and mine today?