Praise Him with Every Part (#305 of 365+)

It doesn’t happen as often as it did before I started doing these daily devotionals, but on some days when I get home I must look like I’ve been through the ringer. My head hangs low, my shoulders slump forward, and I
don’t even have the strength to smile. Like I said, it doesn’t happen that often. But it still happens on occasion.

What wears me down?

My job: It literally gives me severe headaches.
My teenage son: My heart aches when he makes a poor decision.
The world and everything that’s wrong with it: A co-worker does something dishonest and gets ahead; a young woman is being mistreated by her boyfriend; a man has become addicted to pornography; etc.

Just about anything under the sun can make me feel defeated if I let it. I have to bring my mind and my will under submission if I want to keep moving forward. Joni said as she ages the pain and complications associated with her paralysis have gotten worse and sometimes seem unbearable. She has to force herself to offer praises to the Lord. Not just her soul and her lips, but she wills all of herself to praise him—including every body part that aches or sighs.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5)

Praising the Lord and bringing my mind back to the reality of what He has done and what He has promised to do is a surefire way to rejuvenate my sin- and world-weary soul. These battles may not be over yet but I can keep fighting strong when I see the Lord’s banner is lifted high above me. It reminds me that Jesus Christ has already won the ultimate victory over the war. And his return is imminent!

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15)

Lord, thank you for caring about my weary soul. On some days praise feels like more of a sacrifice than on other days but you are worthy EVERY DAY of my life to receive all the praise, all the honor, and all the glory! May every part of me submit to your lordship. Soothe away my aches and pains with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Strengthen and equip me to fight another day. Amen!