A
heart filled with praise to our Lord, starts with a mind fixed on God alone.
God delights in the praises of His people (Psalm 149:3-4), and He deserves our
praise, because of who He is and what He continually does for us.
When
life threatens to overwhelm and discourage us, praise will relieve our heavy
heart and fill our soul with peace and joy. Praise heals our heart and lightens
our spirit, as it brings health to our body (Proverbs 17:22).
Our
sorrow over what our sin did to our King Jesus humbles us and makes us
determined to sin no more (John 8:11). God's grace is always ready to provide whatever
we need throughout our lifetime.
As
we submit to God's powerful presence, walk in His ways, and follow the guidance
of His Spirit every moment of our day, His blessings flow into every area of
our life.
Praising
God clears our mind of negative emotions, so that we can better hear the
Spirit's directions and walk in God's victory (Psalm 20:5). Troublesome damaging emotions dissipate, as our heart swells with praise to our Almighty
God, who is enthroned in our praises (Psalm 22:3).
Grateful
praise is our entrance into the throne room of God's dwelling place (Psalm
100:4-5). Our body is His Temple, and He abides in us and rejoices over us with
singing (1 Corinthians 6:19; Zephaniah 3:17).
We
learn to flood our prayers with thanksgiving and praise (Philippians 4:6), as
we watch God move on our behalf. Our intimacy with the Trinity grows as we
spend our time praying without ceasing, living in the center of God's will, and
praising our Father God.
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that trials strengthen our resolve to trust You regardless of
our circumstances. They build our faith in Your mercy and grace for us in any
condition. Forgive our unbelief, and help us to believe in the truth of Your
promises (Mark 9:23-25).
Thank
You for Your mercy and grace, which we do not deserve. They are Your gifts to
the faulty human race who never seems to learn from our mistakes. As we grow in
Your grace, we erupt in praises to You at the slightest provocation, and we
revel in the beauty all around us, which You have given to us to enjoy.
Thought
for the Day:
We
spoil Satan's plans when we exhibit faith in God's faithfulness and walk
according to His precepts, regardless of what we are thinking and how we are
feeling at the time.
