RX FOR PRAISE

READ: Psalm 103: 1-12

“…let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name.. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 3: 15-16 (NIV)

It was another gray day and my spirit mirrored the dull, drab weather. I felt miserable both physically and emotionally. I pondered whether there ever existed a more unromantic, depressing ailment than the flu. I sat savoring my distress and thoroughly enjoying a full-blown “pity party”. With a considerable lack of enthusiasm, I began my morning devotions. After several futile attempts, I confessed to the Holy Spirit that the words just didn’t seem to come and frankly, I didn’t feel much like praying! As I sat there semi-tasting lukewarm chicken soup and trying to ignite a spark of enthusiasm for the task, I randomly flipped through the pages of my Bible and paused to read the initial verse of Psalm 103, “Praise the Lord O my Soul, fill my inmost being, praise His Holy name.” I sarcastically muttered to myself, “and thanks for giving me such a miserable day!”

A sense of shame for harboring such an irreverent thought prompted me to continue reading. As I reflected on David’s praise list recorded in the 103rd Psalm: forgiveness of sins; healing of our diseases; rescuing us from the pit; crowning us with love and compassion; and satisfying our desires with good things -- and the fact we receive these without deserving them caused my bleak attitude to slowly dissipate. Oh, I didn’t break out in song; but my petty complaints began to seem insignificant compared to His gifts. I suddenly came to realize that when one feels that there is little or no reason to praise God, an excellent prescription might be to read through David’s Psalm.

Thank You, Holy Spirit for opening my mind and heart to His message. Amen.