Below is a daily devotional from Joni Eareckson Tada, a
lady who has been a quadriplegic since the age of 17 when she broke her neck in
a diving accident. God has used Joni to become a worldwide blessing to
all who suffer physical afflictions. To sign up for Joni's wonderful
devotionals, go to www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional/ -
click on "Sign Up for Our Daily Devotional" on the right. I am
very thankful to the person who told me about this.
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Praise Him with Every Part
Praise
the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy
name. Praise the Lord, 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. ~Psalm 103:1-5
After years of
quadriplegia, my bones are feeling tired. But whenever I struggle
with pain, 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 - it's one way of
making certain God receives glory during physically agonizing times.
Physical pain 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? Not immediately, but I have the sure
promise that just as Jesus rose from the grave with a new body, so I will one
day rise with no more pain or heartache. For now, as Paul says in
Romans 8, we groan, waiting for the redemption God has promised.
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Nevertheless, our groans
can glorify God! Next time your muscles ache, your head throbs, or
your feet cramp, force these body parts to join your soul in praising
God: "Praise the Lord, O my soul; and even my sore back blesses
you. Every part of me blesses your holy
name!" You will be stirring your soul to recall God's
benefits. You will be offering a "sacrifice of praise"
(Hebrews 13:15).
Lord Jesus, I want to
praise you in body, soul and spirit. I bless you from that part of
me that "hurts" today - may it be a sacrifice of praise for every
part of me delights in every part of you!
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
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