Hallelujah Anyhow!

Hallelujah Anyhow!

James 1:1-3

As Christians we should learn to rejoice. Even our bad days are blessings if we look at it through God’s eyes. Because even though the devil means things for bad the God I serve can turn it around for good. Brothers and sisters, one thing we need to keep in mind about rejoicing is that God is in control and is always worthy to be praised. No matter what the situation, God is worthy. Whether in good times or bad times, God is great and He is worthy to be praised.

The late Rev. Oris Mayes said it best when he sang with Rev. Clay Evans and the ARC mass choir, the song, “Hallelujah Anyhow!” Basically what he was saying is no matter what’s going on; no matter what condition I find myself in; no matter whether I am having a good day or a bad day; I count it all joy because I know who’s in control and I can say with authority, “Hallelujah Anyhow!” In a world where each corner holds some potential danger we should be able to say, “Hallelujah Anyhow!”

In a society where just going to work can end in total tragedy, we still should be able to shout, “Hallelujah Anyhow!” In a community where drugs run rampant and hope is fleeting, it’s a good thing to proclaim, “Hallelujah Anyhow!” It is essential that Christians look past the circumstance and cling to the cross. James encourages us to just count each trial as a learning experience. Count each tribulation as a stepping-stone. Count every troublesome occurrence as Joy; Rejoicing in the midst of our suffering; Praising God in the midst of our pain.

Oh somebody ought to be willing to shout this morning "Hallelujah Anyhow!"

Hallelujah is the highest form of exhortation or praise. It is a proclamation of confidence to the one who sits high but has the ability to see down low. And we shout it because we recognize that even though it may appear that our burdens are overbearing - we shout victoriously because we understand that God is Awesome, God is Mighty, God is wonderful and he can do anything but fail.

There are many things that may occur in life that causes you to be knocked about a bit. There are many situations that make it hard for us to be certain that God is in control. But these seeds of doubts are simply tools that Satan has put into play to cause the children of God to turn away from the master.

However, when we just take the time to reflect on the goodness of our God; when we allow our minds to think on everything that he has done - everything he is doing - and oh everything he is going to do - our souls ought to be crying out in the midst of our trials and tribulations, "Hallelujah Anyhow!" Brothers and sisters, trials and tribulations are a part of life. You might as well prepare yourself to deal with it. Christianity is not a shield from hardships. Being saved is not a get out of trouble free pass.

Knowing God will not keep tragedy from knocking on your door. Throughout the word of God we find that we should expect them to come. Mark 13:12 tells us we will be betrayed. Luke 11:49 tells us some will be persecuted and slain. John 15:20 tells us that Jesus himself endured ridicule and we should expect no less. 2 Corinthians 4: beginning at the 8th verse we are told we endure trials because we are Christians - why you may ask - well trials and tribulations - problems and perplexities - circumstances and situations are our living testimony that God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Hallelujah Anyhow!

The command that God has given us is not to praise Him because of but to praise Him in spite of! It is a joyful tribute rendered to the God that has done it before and will certainly do it again. Praise is rendered by believers because they understand that the word has promised weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning - Hallelujah anyhow! Praise is offered up by those who have a personal relationship and not a part-time acquaintance to God.

Allowing us to endure difficulties because we know that trouble don’t last always. Praise is given because we in this Christian journey are standing on the promises of God! We sing every Sunday morning, “What a mighty God we serve” and it is based upon the knowledge that God is deserving of our praise and He is a mighty God. Every blessing that comes our way is a result of God’s love. The psalmist David wrote, "Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord".