Daylight Devotion
Daylight Devotion – Written by BSWH Staff for BSWH Staff
Today’s Scripture: Psalm 67: 5 NIV
“Let the peoples praise Thee, O God, Let all the peoples praise Thee. “
Reflection
More and more lately I have been drawn to praise. It has been a rough couple of years, and so far, it doesn’t look like there’s a big light at the end of the tunnel. People are struggling to make ends meet, struggling with diseases that have been borne recently, struggling with all the hate that seems to be permeating every aspect of our lives!
Let’s just take a breath. Close your eyes and take in a deep, cleansing breath. We need God on the scene. We need Him now. Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabits (lives, dwells, is enthroned upon) the praises of His people. I believe That when we begin to praise, He shows up.
Maybe you don’t feel like praising. Maybe singing and offering praises to God is the last thing you would imagine to do! That’s when it is a SACRIFICE of praise. This praise is sweet incense to God! He loves it when we praise in the midst of our troubles – and He shows up BIG! Look at the story of Paul and Silas in the prison – (Acts 16) – they were beaten, shackled and chained… but at midnight they were singing praises to God, and he freed them!
Could you use some chains and worries and troubles to fall off? Just begin to praise Him.
It doesn’t have to be a big production… Just start to sing – any little song that you can remember: Jesus loves me… This little light of mine… This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I promise God will show up and you will feel better. (contributed by Kimberly Schroeder, RN—Marble Falls)
Prayer
Father God, You are an awesome God! You know the beginning from the end! Remind us, Father, that You are working for our good, and that You are for us, and not against us. Father God, we come before You today, asking that You will remind us in this day of much stress, much opposition, much hardness – that we can bring You front and center – with Your big arms wrapped around us to comfort us, just by praising You in the midst of our circumstances! Give us a song that we can begin to sing through
our tears so that we may begin to feel Your joy! And your Word says that the Joy of Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Give us joy that strengthens us so we can face another day, knowing that You are right here with us. We praise You, Lord, and give Glory, honor to You! Thank You for all these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen