The Birds Sing Praises

Psalm 84:3 – Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. (NIV)

My son lives in a city two hundred and fifty miles from me, but we are able to stay in close contact by modern communication methods. He jogs in a large park near where he lives and often chooses to call me while he's jogging. One morning recently, his cell phone picked up the sound of the birds singing in the background. It was as though a great symphony orchestra were performing. Each bird was in harmony with the others, yet sometimes, the sound of a particular bird seemed to be featured.

On my end of the telephone, the day was dreary, but over the airwaves came the joyful sound of those birds singing their hearts out in joy and praise — not even aware they were cheering up not only the joggers in the park, but a listener two hundred and fifty miles away who needed cheering up on that day.

Lifting up God in praise changes our way of viewing life. When we say, "Thank You, Lord, for the blessings You have given me," rather than asking "Why me, Lord?" we change the way in which we view our situation, turning a sad, defeated heart into one that is thankful for what is available. There are always things to be thankful for, if only we look in the right direction.

Man has so much more to be thankful for than the birds of the woods, yet they sing praises to Him with joyful sounds.

Prayer: Lord, we know that if You care about the birds, You care for us. May we, too, make joyful noises and lift up Your name in praise. Amen.