My child recently had a recital and after every act, friends and family would applaud their own loved ones on stage. Their cheers were out of love and good pride in recognition of the effort, skill, and passion of the performers. Enormous grins lit the faces of those who received the praise.
All of the time working, preparing, and sweating behind the scenes was worth it. It’s difficult to imagine what would happen if they had worked all those long hours, learned all those moves, and got up on stage to perform and then no one clapped. Even worse, what would happen if the theater was empty?
“He (Jesus)answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’” Luke 19:40 ESV.
“…let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord…” Psalm 96:12
Do we sometimes forget that God is working behind the scenes, masterfully molding blessings and trials for His glory? When we do see the evidence in the big things in life and we applaud Him, do we go back to once again forgetting His constant working and love? Or, like in Luke 17, are we akin to the 9 other lepers who didn’t return to even thank Him? Do we rejoice in the healing and not in the Healer?
I love the lyric to a popular song, “I could sing these songs as I often do, but every song must end, and You never do.” God deserves all our praise all the time – He is always working, always moving when we don’t see the results. As I was worshipping today, I looked outside and the trees looked as if they were clapping – their leaves shining, shimmering and waving against each other like a sea of applause. During times we’re silent, nature never is. God’s creation always reflects His glory. As His creation and heirs, how much more should we be clapping and singing in response for His grace and mercy?
In whatever circumstance you face today, time spent in the presence of God praising His name is never ever ever ever a waste of time. He takes joy in receiving adoration from His children. It will return ten-fold to bless your own heart. Go ahead, raise up a song to God right now – your applause to His goodness and faithfulness.
Luke 17:11-19; Psalm 96:12; Luke 19:40; John 4:23-24; Revelation 4:8
©2022 Rachel D. Lyne
Speaker & Author Rachel D. Lyne 
This was such a blessing to my heart, Thank you, Rachel. He, indeed, is worthy of our praise. It would amaze us if we understood the “working behind the scenes”…what an awesome God we are honored to call “Father”. Wow.