Devotions with Holly

Praising in Heavy Times – a pondering by Holly Woodbridge

I get the “heavies” sometimes. How about you? I know the psalmist did too.

Psalm 9 says
13 Lord, see how my enemies persecute me!
    Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death.

So, what do you do with days like this?

If you take a look at that whole Psalm you will notice David begins this psalm with thanksgiving and praise.

1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
    I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

You will also see that he follows the “heavy” verse with praise.

13 Lord, see how my enemies persecute me!
    Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,
14 that I may declare your praises
    in the gates of Daughter Zion,
    and there rejoice in your salvation.

Personal experience tells me this is true. When I begin to count my blessings and remember who my God is then the heavies begin to lift. You might want to just give that a try today.
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Take a paper and list as many blessings as you can think of in 1 minute, then turn it over and write down all you can fit in of who God is in one minute. Let me know how it works for you.


THANK YOU, LORD– Don Moen

I come before You today
And there's just one thing that I want to say
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

For all You've given to me
For all the blessings I cannot see
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless Your name

Thank You Lord
I just wanna thank You Lord

For all You've done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me Your light
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

You took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord

With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless Your name

Thank You Lord
I just wanna thank You Lord
Thank You Lord