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Listen while you read: "Praise Him Praise Him"1
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How many times have you seen true darkness? I remember going down into a cave with a group of people. The guide said, "In a minute, we will turn off the lights, and you will see, perhaps for the first time, real darkness." Before that, we had been admiring God's beauty all around in the cave structures, and we could see the guide, who knew how to get us out of there. Once the lights went out, even after my eyes adjusted, I could see nothing, not even the end of my nose. I found myself in a bit of a panic until I heard the tour guide's voice. I was tempted to go toward his voice, grab him by the ankles, and hang on for dear life. Are you beginning to see the darkness?
Today, I read Psalm 134, which is only three verses long.
Psalm 134:1-3 – Now praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand in the Lord's house at night! Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the Lord! May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion. (HCSB)
I have gone through times in my life when sadness was a dark, dark veil, and the darkness of the burdens that I carried kept me from seeing the light. Satan has a way of blocking our memory of praiseworthy things when we are in the dark. In those times, I have tried to think of blessings that I have received, only to see more darkness. As the psalmist says in verse 2, I have found that in those times, I have to lift my hands in praise anyway.
As I sat one day in a very dark hour, I tried to lift my hands in praise, but they would not go up, because I could see only darkness. The eyes of my heart darted back and forth for something praiseworthy, but the darkness blinded me. As I sat there, all I could see were my ugly feet, and there was nothing praiseworthy there. In desperation, I began to praise God for my feet. I understand that without toes, it is hard to keep our balance, so I began to thank Him for all my toes. When I saw the imperfections of my funky toenails, my mind quickly headed back to the darkness, but I continued to my ankles. The first thing that came to my mind was "thick", and thick isn't good, but I praised Him anyway. I continued until my hands were in the air, even in the dark. By then, as verse 3 states, the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, blessed my heart. I could see the flicker of light in my dark world. Sometimes, we just need to start somewhere and give Him praise for the simple things, even the funky things!
My burdens were still there, but I could hear the voice of the Guide, and I was able to give praise even in that dark hour. I was confident that my Guide knew the way out of my darkness, and I listened for His voice.
Start praising God right now, even for your funky feet! Praise the Lord!
Prayer: Holy Father, forgive us for running to Satan's false guides. Help us to have eyes that see You even in the hard times. Amen.
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About the author:
Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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Amen, Jeanie.
Amen! Blessings.
I believe in the sun. Even when it isn’t shining. Blessings on you.
Wonderful. Thank you for this very practical and helpful reminder.
An important reminder for us all. Thanks and may God bless you for sharing your moving story!
Jeanie, such encouraging advice in your writing today! Thank you for reminding me to praise God for even funky toes!
Thank you, Jeannie, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Praying for you and praising God for your perseverance in the darkness of deep depression. Blessings.
Thank you, Jeanie, for this very enlightening devotional this morning. Yes, following our Lord’s way and giving Him praise for His continuous care of us, gives us the very best of life situations. Blessings for your special writings.
Good morning, Jeannie.
You always have such good devotionals I can relate to, especially at the present time. Thank you for those good words and such a good story.
Blessings.
Oh Jeanie,
Your devotional today touched my heart and it is not because of Dark Places. Somehow in my relatively long life (I will soon be 86), there have not been many REALLY dark places. There are health issues with some of our family, but really “DARK” places have been avoided and I often wonder how that has happened.
I just keep thanking God for the life I have lead and also realize at the same time how much more I could have done for him and ask forgiveness.
Thanks for writing.
Good morning, Jeanie,
I think your story of darkness is very moving. I think your way of approaching God when we are in darkness is very inspiring. I have never thought of doing that in the way you describe and think that others might not have figured that out so this will be helpful for when we fall into the darkness. I do not like enclosed spaces so caves will never be something I would ever explore. I always wonder why people want to go into caves.
Thank you for sharing both your experiences and telling us you have “funky” feet and helping us to work towards the light.
May you continue to lift your hands in praise. Blessings.
Thank you, Jeanie, for this good example of how to praise.
Thank you.