MAY IT BE A SWEET, SWEET SOUND IN YOUR EAR
And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:11 (ESV)
Praise is the inner health of the heart becoming audible. When the Israelites laid the foundation of the temple, their joy overflowed into song and shouts of thanksgiving. They weren’t celebrating rest or completion—they were rejoicing in God’s faithfulness. His covenant had not failed.
One of my favorite worship songs says:
I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice,
To worship You, Oh my soul, rejoice.
Take joy, my King, in what You hear,
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.
That’s what true praise can sound like—a heart rejoicing in a promise-keeping God.
I recall a time when my boys were 12 and 11, and I often struggled with their father about bringing them to church when they were with me. During a walk by a pond one day, I cried out to God, You told me if I left, my boys would know You. At that moment, I heard a small voice say, Trust. Fast forward to that summer—my oldest son went to youth camp with his sisters and prayed to receive Christ. Though he still faces challenges like we all do, today, he’s a young man in college, seeking after Jesus, even while away from any family. The next summer, my youngest son attended youth camp, and my oldest daughter had the opportunity to pray with him to receive Christ as his Savior. Talk about a sobbing moment for this mom!
God gave me the gift of singing. When someone tells me I sing loudly, I smile and say, Thanks! Because when I worship—whether singing or simply listening to music— I’m overwhelmed by God’s love and faithfulness. My praise becomes a sweet sound of gratitude. I tremble at the thought of life without knowing Him as my Lord.
APPLICATION: What promise of God are you waiting to see fulfilled? Take time to sit in the stillness and ask God, How can I let Your praise reflect trust even before I see the outcome?
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for being a promise-keeping God. Help me to praise You not just with my lips but with a heart overflowing with trust and gratitude. Let my worship—through song, prayer, or obedience—be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?