Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen. (Ps. 89:52)
They said he wouldn’t survive the ride to the hospital. The crash interrupted an errand run. His wife gave tearful updates, always including the words, “and yet.” Those two tiny words, carried a big weight. “He’s in critical care . . . and yet God is sheltering me.” “He’s in another surgery . . . and yet God is using the doctors.” So many hard reports, but equally as many “and yets.” In the days when her husband hovered between life and death, she offered praise for the loving care the Lord was providing.
Praise releases the power of God. As the psalmist thought about his situation, his problems were many, yet, he knew God could help him. Past victories gave him confidence in God’s power.
The psalmist chose, just like my friend did. He chose to praise God. “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.” There are times all of us need to rely on “and yet.” A prodigal child leaves home, “and yet.” The Dow drops significantly, “and yet.” Your spouse loses her job, “and yet.” Someone receives a dreaded physical diagnosis, “and yet.” Praise carries us through our heartaches and gives peace.
Whatever your heartache, find your “and yet.”
Pamela Kuhn’s favorite word is joy, and her favorite place is anywhere that holds books and sells tea. Her husband, RB, is an associate professor at Indiana Wesleyan University.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
