Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. … God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth. Praise Him with a psalm. God reigns above the nations, sitting on His holy throne.   Psalm 47:1-2, 5-8

While vacationing out West this summer, I was often amazed at the beauty and textures of the rocks. It seems like even the rocks lift their praises to God with the brilliant color and amazing richness of textures. As I prepare for worship services, I’ve questioned myself often, is there enough opportunity to “Shout to God with joyful praise!” It’s rare in our church to hear an “Amen!” shouted out. However, the praises of the people as they join together in singing praise to God is sometimes overwhelmingly beautiful worship. Of course, there are days where I struggle with feeling the depth of worship in my heart. Sometimes I’m tired, my body is in pain, the troubles of the world are distracting and draw me away from giving God the glory.

Years ago our choir sang a piece Then Will the Very Rocks Cry Out.

From the corners of creation, come the people of the Living God. Ev’ry tongue and ev’ry nation gather now to praise the Lord!  If we keep our voices silent, all creation will rise and shout. If we fail to praise You, Father, then will the very rocks cry out.

From a world of tribulation come and let your voice be raised. Join us now in congregation. Let the Living God be praised.  If we keep our voices silent, all creation will rise and shout. If we fail to praise You, Father, then will the very rocks cry out.

Words and music by Gary McSpadden, Bill George, John W. Thompson, and Randy L. Scruggs.

A few years ago God encouraged me to share how He had been working in my life through chronic illness and the flood. I argued with Him about doing so. He reminded me very clearly of the passage in Luke 19:40 where Jesus says, “If they (Christ’s followers) kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Looking at the beauty and splendor in the rocks, I remembered the passage in Luke, and was challenged to lift my voice, AND more importantly, my heart in praise to God, through the good and the bad times. I don’t want the rocks to praise God for me – I want to thank God for ALL He has done. “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!”

Praying you are able to lift your hearts in praise to God today ~ Faye