THE POWER OF PRAISE
by Fleta Mathews
“O God, you are my God, early will I seek you: … Because your loving-kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise you.” (Psalm 63:1-3)
Those who study human behavior tell us that the mood of one’s entire day is determined by two four-minute periods—-the first four minutes when we wake up in the morning and the last four minutes before we go to sleep at night. In my own life, I have found this is definitely a dependable declaration.
If I take time to do two things when I awake in the morning, the clouds and fog begin to lift, the cobwebs clear from my cerebellum, and the sun begins to shine in my sleepy soul. Energy and enthusiasm return, and I am like one resurrected from the dead. Doldrums depart and I am motivated to move out of bed to meet whatever the day demands.
The first of these simple solutions starts by reminding myself that this new day is another glorious gift from God. I say aloud or sing, “This is the day which the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Then quietly, but quickly, I sing all the praise songs that pop into my mind. My spirits begin to soar as I sing to Him who inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3) “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice… Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people rejoice. O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He has done.” There are others that move through my mind and leap from my lips on different days as I choose to dedicate the day to Him who is worthy of all praise.
The second solution? I count my many blessings and “name them one by one” as the old song says. I thank God, not only for these, but from the terrible things He has spared me from encountering. Various verses of praise come to mind and they, too, go up to God. Have you ever tried counting the many praise verses mentioned in the Bible? Finding out will be the beginning of a blessed adventure. If you’ve forgotten the power of praise to revive and rejuvenate, give it a try. You will be in for a super surprise! Every morning lean your arms a while upon the windowsill of Heaven and gaze upon your Lord. Then with strength and courage renewed, go forth to meet your day.
“I Met God in the Morning”
By Bishop Ralph Cushman
I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.
So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!