Psalm 117 joyously invites us to join with all peoples to praise the Lord. I joyously reply, "Yes!" I want to praise the Lord with all nations! I want to sing and pray and read Scripture with people from Africa and Asia! I want to disciple and baptize and teach together with those from the Americas and Australia! I want to extol the Lord with people from Europe and the Middle East!

Then the realities of our broken world and of my broken soul shake me. Air pollution imprisons me, malaria flattens me, language learning overwhelms me, computer glitches stall me, family responsibility grips me, grief engulfs me. When discouragement devours me, praise escapes me.

In the New Testament, Paul and Silas faced frequent discouragement and extreme hardship. They were stripped, beaten, flogged, and thrown in jail. Yet, praise filled them! How? With their feet fastened in stocks, they fastened their faith on Jesus. Steeped in Scripture, Paul and Silas had a deep reservoir to draw from.

We, too, can fortify our faith with Scripture. As we memorize it, meditate on it, make it our own, the Holy Spirit comforts us with Words from the One we so desire to praise. Perhaps we could start with tiny but mighty Psalm 117? This small, sacred poem invites us to praise, then reminds us why. Jesus!

His love for us is great and steadfast. His faithfulness is never-changing, never-ending. Jesus gave His life for ours so that, as we come to Him with a repentant, humble heart, we can truly praise him today, tomorrow, and forever. "Yes!"