DEV:Turn 'one of those days' into praise by Fiona Castle

Sometimes I don't feel like praying. Sometimes I don't feel like

reading the Bible. And sometimes I certainly don't feel a bit like

being loving and kind to anyone!

But I thank God that my faith is not based on feelings, but on the

sure and solid fact of Jesus' death for me on the cross. In other

words, my salvation is not dependent on what I do for Jesus, but on

what he did for me.

There is a verse in Psalm 22 which says: 'Oh thou that inhabitest

the praises of Israel.....' The modern translations are slightly

different but I like this version because it urges me to begin praising

God no matter how I feel - and he will inhabit those praises.

As I start to praise God as an act of the will, he begins to live in

my praise until my spirit starts to lift and the weariness disappears.

My whole attitude to my prayer time changes, and my praise comes from

my heart, not just my lips!

It is good, sometimes, to begin a prayer time by reading a Psalm of

praise, such as Psalm 104, which ends with the words: 'I WILL praise

him, Hallelujah!'

I remember our pastor saying from the pulpit once: 'You can't say

Hallelujah with a long face!' You try it! It will make you begin to

laugh, especially if you say it in front of a mirror.

Jesus wants us to praise him no matter what happens. That is the

wonderful privilege of belonging to him. He has promised us a peace and

a joy that are not dependent on our circumstances - they stem directly

from our relationship with him.

So, if today is 'one of those days', when you don't feel like being

anything but negative, begin to praise him and soon you will find your

mind and body are joining with your spirit as it soars towards the Lord

and brings joy to his heart.

'There I will go to the altar of God, my exceeding joy, and praise

him with my harp' - Psalm 43:4

Reproduced from 'Family' magazine (February 1985) with permission.