Don’t you love that verse that goes “Bless the Lord, O my soul?
… and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.” Psalm 103 continues, saying, “O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I have a very special affection for that verse, especially the part that says, “May all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.” You see, after so many decades of quadriplegia, my bones are so tired. My joints are aching. But whenever I struggle with pain in this wheelchair, I pray, "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." I force all parts of me to bless the Lord, even my lower back when it's aching… or the base of my neck… or my hip or my mouth when I get tired of holding pencils between my teeth. I make all the parts of me conform… no one gets a chance to slack off here… I want every part of this body to join my soul in blessing God’s Holy Name! This is the way I talk to myself and I tell you it’s the one way of making certain God receives glory during those times when my hip hurts and I’m in physical pain.
Because I know from experience that physical hardship can cloud our convictions about God's benefits, which is why I must continually stir my soul to remember them. God has pardoned all my sin, rescued, restored, crowned me with his love, and healed all my diseases. Does this mean the pain goes away? No, not immediately, but I have the sure promise that just as Jesus rose from the grave with a new body, one day I will also rise with no more pain or heartache. For now, as Paul says in Romans chapter 8, I just must wait for the redemption God has promised.
Look, friend, this life is not the only life there is. One day, the pain and tears will be behind us. And right now is the time to glorify God in the midst of hardship (we won’t have a chance to do that in heaven). And I don’t want you to miss out on that chance now. So next time your muscles ache, your head throbs with a migraine, or your feet cramp, force these body parts to join your soul in praising God. Say with me: "Praise the Lord, O my soul; and even my sore back blesses you. Every part of me blesses your holy name!" Friend, bring all of yourself to bear down on heaven when it comes to blessing the Lord. For when you do, you will be stirring your soul to recall God's benefits. You will, as Hebrews chapter 13 says, you will be offering a "sacrifice of praise."
And if you need a little help rallying yourself to this noble cause, I’d like to send you a copy of my booklet called “Yearning for Heaven” – just visit my radio page at joniandfriends.org, ask for it and we’ll get it off to you in the mail. And speaking of heaven, seeing that this Sunday is Mother-in-Law Day, I have posted some wonderful photos of Kyoko Tada, Ken’s mother, who, bless her heart, is in heaven right. So let’s get ready to step into that celestial land. Today pray with me, Lord Jesus, I want to praise you in body, soul and spirit. I bless you from that part of me that "hurts" today – I realize my flesh would love nothing more than to slack off from praising you for who you are, but I intend to not allow my flesh to get its way. I am demanding that my body come into alignment with my heart and soul, and may this prayer be a sacrifice of praise for every part of me delighting in every part of you! In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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