THANKFUL

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

I admit, Lord, sometimes I don’t feel like worshipping. I throw a pity party for myself and invite all my friends, but the devil is always the first one to show up. He puts the lampshade on his head and invites me to join in his negativity. I wallow in self-pity a while and then your Holy Spirit says, What are you doing? I’ve had enough of this. Bring me your pain, your hurts and disappointments, your sadness–then get up! Worship me!

Like the psalmist recorded his lament: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping . . .” (Psalm 39:12). All who follow you, Lord Jesus, get down in the dumps from time to time. It’s nothing new in this fallen world. “Why are you downcast, oh, my soul,” King David–a man God described as one after his [God] own heart–wrote. “I will yet praise you for my hope lies in you, Lord God my Savior” (Psalm 43:5).

The cure for coming out of the blues is to offer you unrestrained praise in our worship of you, Lord Jesus. Who are we to withhold praise to you? For all you have done, for who you are, how you redeemed us from the kingdom of darkness to your kingdom of Light. We can’t help but give you praise. May we have an attitude of gratitude for all you’ve done, Lord God.

May we offer our praise even when illness hangs around. Especially give us the grace to praise you when the doctor’s report isn’t what we expected. In praise and worship to you, we find the peace that only you give. We embrace your assurance that all will be well, just trust. And trust we will in your goodness.

Praising you, Lord Jesus, in unrestrained worship that chases the blues away. Amen.