The Heart that Praises First
Well now, glory be, friend, come on up here and settle yourself in real good on this ol’ front porch like you’re plum steppin’ into a mighty welcomin’ place where the ol’ rockers sway a friendly “hello,” and the smell of hot blueberry cobbler drifts out of the kitchen like it’s plum ready to come right on over and be ticklin’ your nose. Land sakes, I’m so doggone glad you made it over here for a lil’ ol’ visit. If you were any more welcome, that plump ol’ possum that waddles around like he’s wantin’ your vote so he can win the prize for stealin’ the most feed from the barn would be shufflin’ right on over and offerin’ you the smoothest acorn he’s been guardin’ from every critter in the woods. So, you come on over here and pull up a chair, friend, because we’re gonna go right on into a truth that’s sturdier than an ol’ hickory root grippin’ the hillside so tight that even a pair of ol’ seasoned oxen would give up tryin’ to pull it loose.
Scripture says, “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (Psalm 107:8). Jehoshaphat plum understood that long before we ever did. When danger marched toward Judah, he didn’t send out the strongest soldiers first. He sent out the whole choir. Those singers walked ahead of the army belting out, “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). And at the very moment they began to praise, God downright turned the enemy against itself.
Praise ain’t no kind of decoration. It’s sho’-nuff’ warfare. It’s plum obedience. It’s downright trust. And the Lord deepens this truth with a verse that says, “You are my God, and I will praise You” (Psalm 118:28). Praise is real personal. It’s sho’-nuff’ the heart rememberin’ who God is and what He has done.
Jesus healed ten lepers, yet only one came back to thank Him. Gratitude is easy to forget, but powerful when practiced. Praise opens our eyes. It steadies our hearts. It reminds us that God’s goodness is not measured by our circumstances but by His character.
Father, thank You for teachin’ me to praise You first. Help me remember Your goodness and respond with gratitude. Let my heart stay tuned to Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alright then, friend, may the Lord fill your day with the calm confidence of a big ol’ beaver loungin’ beside its dam like it has not a care in the world. Let His peace settle over you like the hush that drifts across a meadow when the lil’ fireflies start their evenin’ glow. And may His joy rise in you with the bright shimmer of a trout catchin’ sunlight just beneath the water’s surface. Wherever your day carries you, let His goodness guide your steps like a faithful ol’ plow horse headin’ home at dusk knowin’ exactly where the barn is waitin’ and the feed bucket is restin’. Go on now, friend, and praise Him with a heart full of thanks.
With joy,
Gwen
